It is that time of the year again; time to get ready for school. This year it might be a little different, for many, it is their first time living on their own and fending for themselves. Making the transition into college is extremely hard whether you are 5 minutes from home or 5 hours away from home. Even though you may encounter some bumps in the road college is most likely going to be the best days of your life.
Move in day is the most hectic day of your life and I'm not exaggerating. There are so many emotions because it is your first official day, but you have to move everything you own into a small room (hopefully not at the exact same time as your roommate like me because then there is even less room), all while your parents can't seem to stop hugging you. And what are you even supposed to do when you are done? Are you supposed to talk to people, walk around your new campus, or wait to see if someone introduces themselves? There are really no wrong choices, but make sure you leave your door open for at least 2 weeks (while you're in there). This is the best way to meet people especially if they are just walking by. Say hi, that's how I made some of my best friends.
Your first night out is going to be a whole new ball game compared to high school. Where do you go? What do you wear? Who are you even supposed to go with? My best advice for this is to just roll with it and make sure you don't go anywhere alone, not that you should go alone anyway, but going somewhere alone in a brand new place can be a little overwhelming, to say the least. While out you'll meet people who're names you'll forget in 5 minutes and you may never see them again. But it'll be a night to remember (or not). just walking by. Say hi, that's how I made some of my best friends.
The first week of class is nothing to stress over I promise. The first week is to mostly go over expectations of the class, the schedule, and maybe some light review. The first week of classes as a freshman are meant to settle you in, get you into a routine, and to help you out. Don't be afraid to ask for directions or where your classes are either because some campuses are confusing. Most schools also have maps of the building on their websites so before classes even start to check those out!
The biggest piece of advice I can give is yourself. College is your fresh start and you get a clean slate here. No matter how many times you messed up in the past, what you acted like, or what you looked like really matters here. No one knows that you and you can change that. If you were someone who was known as shy and you want to break out of your shell now is the time to do it. And even if you don't meet the right people on the first try, there are so many other students to give a shot. You are supposed to change, you are supposed to make mistakes, but you are also the one who can do it for better or worse.
Good luck in your new adventure and if it doesn't turn out like you hoped, you can make changes. If you don't like it don't be afraid to transfer, don't be afraid to say you miss home and don't be afraid to be you. College is what you make it, you are in charge now
