Dear fish out of water,

It's early August, late September--the familiar convenient stores and rolling fields of your childhood, slowly give way to a new scene of rustic coffee shops and chain restaurants. Whether you find yourself moving from one large city to the next or making the leap from a small town to a big city, being the out-of-state college student is never easy.

I know you are bound to feel bouts of excitement and nervousness at the soon-to-be reality of picking up everything you own and moving to a place where everyone is a stranger. Just remember that moving to a different state does not make you a different person, it simply expands on the person you already are. I encourage you to never take the little things for granted while you're still at home. Go to dinner with your friends, watch a movie with your family--savor every moment! Memories that seem silly or insignificant now will often provide the most comfort when homesickness creeps up on you.

There are times when you will feel lonely, longing for the comfortable stability that home offers. It will take time, but eventually, you will find the same sense of peace in your new home (I promise)! It took me a while to get integrated into my university because it felt like everyone I met was from Missouri and I was just the token out-of-state kid. Too many times did I feel awkward and out of place when approached with conversations similar to, "What high school did you go to? Oh, where are you from? Where's that? Why did you move here?"

If you're feeling down or out of place, know that you bring something new to the table! It may not seem like it at first, but being the out-of-state student has its advantages. Environments, events and lingo that might seem normal to you, may be completely foreign to someone else; thus, leading to various arguments about the pronunciation of hammock or the mind-blowing fact that the closest Qdoba to you is two hours away. Besides, can you say road trip? I often found that being from out of state was a great ice breaker in new, intimidating situations; in fact, a vast array of my friends want to come home with me because they can't comprehend the fact that Altus Oklahoma does not produce an abundance of trees (not even close).

Lastly, while you'll be so excited to move in to your university, don't forget about the place you've called home for the last 10+ years. Set up facetime dates with friends and family! Technology is a great way to keep up with everyone and still feel a part of family events (I personally enjoy talking to my dog on the phone). While it's great to make plans with friends, set aside time to go home on breaks if possible. Sometimes it's nice to take a trip down memory lane and then remember why you left in the first place. Keep in mind that when it comes down to it, home is the people you surround yourself with. If you keep an open mind, and "just keep swimming" you will never fail to be successful wherever your feet might land. Safe travels!

Best,

a former fish out of water