Being 10’s, 100’s or even 1000’s of miles away from people that you have known all your life is probably the most difficult part about college. New people, new rooms, communal showers, dining hall food and all the independence in the world comes faster than you think. When you’re in high school, all you think about is moving away and you can never contain your excitement for move in day. Then when you get there, you realize your judgement was not as accurate as you'd imagined. Here is why staying close with your family is so important, especially in college.
Family is one of the most important support systems for a college student. On days that you have an exam and two papers due, a phone call home always does some justice. Just the simple words “I know you can do it.” or “It will get better; I promise.” makes a world of a difference. Sometimes you need someone else, not yourself, to get you to keep moving froward.
In college, doing your own laundry or cleaning your own room is your responsibility. There's no more "Mom, I need clean clothes." or "Dad, I can't fix my T.V." Now, you're on your own. But that doesn't mean you can't depend on them for a few words of encouragement. Whether you know it or not, they are your biggest fans and they support you on anything and everything you do. Even if it's not something positive, they will steer you in the right direction.
When you come from a really close family, the separation anxiety hits you like a brick wall. All of the family barbecues and gatherings that you miss out every Saturday really start to take a toll on you, especially when you find yourself writing a paper at 5 p.m. instead. You begin to cringe at the thought of your family actually having a good time without you.
While you're struggling at school to keep it together, they are feeling the same exact way, believe it or not. Every time your parents walk into your room and all the pictures are gone and your clothes from yesterday are not on the ground for them to pick up, it makes them more upset than you'd imagine. As much as your mom yells at you to make your bed or clean your room when you're home, she misses it; I promise you.
You don't have to call everyday, but shooting your family a text in a group chat updating them on how your lunch was at the dining hall will make them just as happy(not that the food at the dining hall makes you as happy). Never forget where you came from and that you have a huge fan club cheering you on back at home.
