Moving to college can be a tough transition. There are no rules, no parents, and you are in a totally new environment. When you add moving to an entirely different state, that can make the transition twice as tough. I know it did for me.
Even though I only crossed a river to get here, and I can drive back home whenever I feel like it, coming to Oklahoma was very difficult. I'm from the great state of Texas, Arlington, Texas, to be exact, and it only takes me about two hours and 45 minutes to get from my house to the University of Oklahoma.
If you're anything like me, you are very close to your family and you cried very hard when they left after moving you in. You talk to them every day, and you call them when you are feeling stressed, homesick, or conflicted.
You are also still trying to adjust to being without your family. Also, your friends get to go home more often than you do because they live less than an hour away. I know exactly how you feel, and I am going to give you my ways of coping with going to college out-of-state.
When going to college out of state, there are three things to remember:
1. Don't be ashamed to go home
You can go home as often as you want, no matter what anyone says. Often times, people will try to tell you that you need to stay at school and stop going home so much, but GO HOME!
2. Don't bring your whole wardrobe from home
Pack all of your shorts, T-shirts, and going out clothes with a few jackets, sweats, leggings, and hoodies. Then, when you go home for winter break, you can trade it all out for you coats and cold clothes. Also, make sure to bring business casual outfits for interviews.
3. Get involved, meet new people, and make life-long friendships
These relationships will allow you to feel like you belong, and they will make you forget that you are away from home. They will make your transition 10 times easier. Who knows, they might also be your bridesmaids in a few years. Going to school out-of-state can be tough, but it is also very much worth it.
