If you're about to start your freshman year and you're thinking that the whole concept of college is overwhelming, you are not alone. All of the unknowns can be incredibly intimidating, and starting a new life and having to make new friends can be the most terrifying thought there is about heading to college.
Think back to your high school freshman self; timidly walking through the doors of your high school on your very first day of school, staring at all of the new things in front of you. New people, new teachers, a new schedule, new everything... everything is new to you except for, perhaps, your friends. As a high school freshman, friends were one of the only things you could fall back on in times of struggle, weakness and anxiety.
When you go to college, your best friends from high school aren't going to be by your side at every waking moment anymore. They won't be one text away to roam the halls with you during a free period, they won't be sitting in the same cafeteria as you for lunch, nor on your sports teams...and they won't (physically) be there for you when times get tough.
I'm sure all of you incoming freshman have a group text with all of your best friends from home, just like my friends and I did...and I'm sure you've all talked about how when you go to college, you promise to talk every day...but realistically, once you get to college it's a whole new ball game. In order to really enjoy your own experience at school, you have to take (a lot of) time for yourself. You have to take time to get to know your new roommate and hall-mates, and to make a new group of college friends.
During the first couple weeks of school, your group text with your friends from home will stay on its toes. Everyone will be texting about their new schools and all their new experiences. Everyone will be sending pictures of their newly decorated dorm rooms and screenshots of all of their new friends' Instagram pages...but as the weeks go on, that group text from home may start to dwindle down.
Things are going to be different for both you and your friends, no matter what, and everybody deals with change differently. Everyone will have their new lives and new friends at college, but no matter what, your friends from home will always know you better than anyone else, and they are just a phone call (or maybe even a drive) away.
Sometimes when I was really missing my friends I would write them a short little letter, stick it in an envelope along with a funny picture of us, and mail it to them at their schools. It was the best feeling when I would get a text or call from them a few days later regarding the note.
Another thing you can do is send mail or presents for your friends' birthdays. It's always nice to let your friends know that you're thinking of them even though it may be the first time in a long time you're not celebrating together.
Don't be discouraged if at times it seems like your friends are too busy for you, because that isn't the case at all. And try your best not to get envious of your home friends' new college friends. At first, it may feel as though you are being replaced, but remember freshman year is full of new changes, new adjustments and new friends for everyone, so take a deep breath and relax when you feel yourself getting upset or jealous about your home friends new lives.
Staying in touch with your friends from home requires effort from both sides, and although it's natural to grow apart, when you go home during breaks, it won't even seem like you've been away from each other at all.
Don't be afraid to send another text in your group chat, even if nobody responded to the last one. It might be hard at first, but it will get easier with time. Keep your friends up to date with whats happening in your life, and I'm sure they'll keep you up to date with whats going on in theirs
Sincerely,
A soon-to-be college sophomore
