The summer in between your senior year of high school and freshman year of college is tough- you don’t know whether to be ecstatic that you’re growing up and moving on to bigger and better things, or despairing because your days of carefree living and low stress are far behind you and there’s no going back. So needless to say, when it’s time to actually make the move into your dorm and say goodbye to everyone and everything back at home, there will probably be a big range of emotions that you’ll be feeling.
1. Having to say goodbye to best friends.
When you’ve spent the past several years going to the same school as these people and being a quick walk or drive away from them at all times, saying goodbye when you know you'll be hundreds of miles away and won’t be seeing them for months is pretty tough to say the least. At least there’s FaceTime.
2. Looking at all of the stuff you have for your dorm and questioning how on earth it’s all going to fit in such a tiny room.
Now, if you’re lucky enough to be efficient with your packing, you may not be able to relate to this. But if you’re an overpacker, this can be a very real problem. So much stuff, so little space
3. Remembering that you’re going to have to leave your pet behind.
Whether it’s your dog, cat, tortoise, fish, horse, bunny, etc., it’s going to be hard leaving them behind (unless, for some reason, you don't like your pet...?) If there was a way to tell them you aren’t leaving forever, I think it would be a little easier.
4. When all the emotional stuff sets itself aside, and you remember you’re about to start one of the most awesome experiences of your life
Leaving home is definitely a bittersweet time for most people- so yes, some parts are bitter, but keep in mind there is a lot of sweet about it! Thinking about all the new people that are going to be becoming apart of your life within the next few months is extremely exciting.
5. Talking to current students about college life in general to try and prepare yourself.
There’s so many things to know, and everyone is so worried about what to do, what not to do, how to do it, and when to do it. Is this cool? Is it normal to do this? Where can I get this? Does anyone bring one of these?
6. Thinking about the final goodbye with parents.
Yes, it will probably be tough. There will probably be tears. There might be a “final” goodbye, but then someone forgets something, so then there’s another true final goodbye. But they’re the people in your life who are always going to be there for you, so it’s barely even a goodbye- just a “see you soon.”
