Welcome to USC! You're a junior! You're a first year! You're not prepared!

All these statements are running through my head. It's been a week since I moved in and this has felt like the longest week of my life. Transferring from the Bay Area, home isn't too far from me, but my new home at USC feels like the other side of the world.

First of all, there are people everywhere all the time. Living in the USC Village, you will never be alone when outside of your apartment. Which depending on your personality, can be an amazing thing or a completely overwhelming thing. Me? I'm liking it. I don't mind being around strangers as long as I don't need to be talking all the time. But not only is the Village always full, campus is a little town of its own, especially during the day while everyone is walking to classes. In my hometown, everything is pretty spread out so no one is walking around like they do in LA. Different, but it's ok.

Next, living on your own. In the Village, I feel like I'm living in a hotel. Everything feels so clean and new and fresh! I have a view of the plaza and when I see those people out there it makes me feel just a little less alone. Yes, you will feel alone. You're in a new apartment possibly with someone who you have never met before, like I am. I love my roommates but I have no one that I know at USC. So that lonely feeling that people talk about? Yeah, I relish in that every day. It's ok. There's FaceTime for your friends at home and there are ways to meet people here. Just don't be afraid to introduce yourself, trust me.

Lastly, get involved, but don't overdo it. University and College are different. At most community colleges, it's pretty simple to go to class and not have to study in order to do well on exams. Here, I've heard different. Almost every person I have talked to has told me how important studying is no matter what institution you transferred from. I mean, hey, you made it to USC! You're in the top 10 or so percent of students, so the curriculum here is going to be harder than what we were used to. That shouldn't prevent you from getting involved on campus, though. I think it's going to be one of the best ways to meet people in a small setting. You guys know that you all have at least one thing in common, which can be the great basis for a new friendship.

No matter how hard it's going to be in the beginning, it will be worth it. I have not heard one person tell me that they don't like USC. Whichever year they graduated from, everyone is proud to be an alumnus and a Trojan. Hang in there, and don't let your fear hold you back from a new beautiful opportunity.