There isn’t really a word to describe the way you’re feeling right now — the feeling of nervousness and excitement, fear of the unknown and curiosity of what the next chapter of your life will be like. You have so many questions like, “Are my classes really going to be that much harder than the ones I took in high school?” and “Will I get along with my roommate?”
If I had one piece of advice to give you, it would be to take it all in. I laughed when I was given this piece of advice when I was in your shoes, who would want to feel so many mixed emotions all at once? It seems like a silly piece of advice, but really, take in every emotion that you feel, every question you may have, every bit of nervousness and excitement. I know it can be scary leaving home for the first time, leaving your friends and family and the place that you grew up. But the next four years are going to be amazing, to say the least.
Yes, there will be times you get homesick, are overwhelmed with studying and homework, and you may even consider dropping a class or two. It’s a four-year journey with lots of road bumps, but the people you will meet and the things you will learn, both inside and outside of the classroom, about yourself and about the world, will be more than worth it.
You will meet some lifelong friends during the next several years. Ones that genuinely care about you, ones you can learn from, ones that you connect with on a different level. A word of wisdom that I was given as I entered my freshman year of college was that no matter what school you choose to go to, it’s the people you meet there that will make your experience worthwhile. And that’s the truth.
This is not to say you will lose touch with your high school friends — some you will and some you won’t. Hopefully, your high school friends will be there for you throughout this new journey. They will be there when you’re having a bad day and just want to hear a familiar voice, and you will still call them when you have something newsworthy to share. You will see them on school breaks and may even visit each other at school.
As far as roommates go, you’re going to love yours. The two of you will share more than just a living space for the next year. He/she will be the one you go to when you have a bad day and the one you tell your secrets to — your confidant. Your freshman year roommate will be the person you’re most nervous to meet, but he/she will be your hardest goodbye as you pack your things up and move home for the summer at the end of the year. And trust me, that day will come a lot more quickly than you think.
I know there’s a lot more to cover, but this is your journey. So with that, I’ll let you figure out the rest. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it, and not every day is going to be a perfect one. But the good will outweigh the bad, so just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
