The first week of college is exciting for freshmen, but it can also be strange settling in. It’s confusing, thrilling, stressful, and relaxing all at once! It's the first step of the next phase of your life, and many people will say it's going to be the best few years! So of course there's a lot of pressure on a college freshmen. And every freshman seems to go through the same cycle of emotions during their first week, such as:

1. The Thrill of Independent Living

Otherwise known as the, “Oh, hell yeah!” stage. You’re out in the real world now. It’s a breath of fresh freedom to realize you’re finally living on your own. There’s nobody to tell you what to do, where to go, when to do your chores. In fact, what are chores anymore? Why not just go out until 2am instead? Isn’t it wonderful? There are a thousand and one decisions for you to make! And they’re finally yours! And yours only!

2. First-Class Panic

Syllabus week is supposed to be easy...so why is it so overwhelming? Suddenly, every professor is throwing you all these rules and all these topics you’re going to have to go through. Quite a few freshmen go home and cry one out after their first day of classes, so don’t be ashamed if you end up feeling teary at the end of the day. And homework? On the first day? For every class? How are you supposed to keep track? (Hint: hang on to your syllabi. It’s the only way you’re going to survive 16 credits worth of classes.)

3. Googling Something You've Forgotten How to Do

Or worse, googling something you didn’t even know how to do it in the first place! There’s no shame in looking up how to use fabric softener. Unless, of course, the instructions are on the box. But not everybody remembers how to do everything all the time. If you’ve got a Real Life problem, take a breath and realize how lucky you are to be living in the 21st century, where you don’t have to call home to ask how to complete an everyday task. No more shameful calls of, “Hey Mom, how do I separate my laundry?” Google won’t judge you for such questions!

4. Homesickness

Eventually, living alone (or with a roommate you may not befriend yet) is going to get lonely. You might start longing to talk with your still-at-home BFF or you might even miss your younger sister pestering you. Regardless of what encourages you to pick up the phone, your loved ones back home will be more than happy to chat with you for a bit. It might not completely ease your homesickness, but it’ll temporarily make you feel a little less lonely. Pro tip: memorize your answer to the question, “Hi honey! How’s everything going?” because that’s a question everyone will ask.

5. The "I've Got This" Phase

After all of these negative emotions, every freshman finds themselves going through mental reassurance. It’s not as difficult as the first week makes it seem, really. Once you’ve gotten a grip (no matter how strong), it all seems to work out. So take a deep breath, look at yourself in the mirror, and say, “I’ve got this.” Because you do! You’ve been prepared for this, and while it’s not going to be seamless in the beginning, you just need to give it time! You’ve got this!