We all have those thoughts before we leave home. I’m scared. I’m excited. I can’t wait to meet new people. I don’t want to lose my friends. I am out of my comfort zone. Will this new experience be better?
1. It’s a new start.
I can be whoever I want to be. Be who I want to be now instead of who I was then. I’ll find a new family, but remember my old one. I will hopefully forget my regrets and forgive myself so I’ll be able to move on.
2. A set of new firsts.
I will have a million never firsts in college. My first room away from home. My first class. My first friend. My first amazing roommate. My first college romance. My first college heartbreak. My first all-nighter dedicated to school work.
3. I’ll miss home.
Yes. I’ll miss my family and friends, but I won’t let that define me. I’ll let myself feel the pain, but not let it take over me. It’s inevitable to miss everything and everyone, but it’s not inevitable to let it break you. Remember the good times and keep them close to your heart.
4. CHANGE.
It’s one of the biggest changes I will experience. Everything will change. My home, my work ethic, my family, my friends. None of them will ever be the same anymore. But change is the only constant in life. With change comes growth. With growth comes growing up and accepting more responsibility and independence. With growth comes becoming the best version of yourself.
5. Excitement.
We all know we have been counting down the days until move in day. I can’t describe how excited I am to experience the next chapter of my life. I can’t wait to step out of my comfort zone and live. Live beyond my tiny bubble. Experience beyond where I have lived my entire life. Step into a world bigger than myself.
6. Nervousness.
What if want to come home? What if the workload is too much? What if my hall is a crazy party hall and I’ll never be able to sleep. What if? What IF? Of course us college freshman have a million what ifs. But the important part is to not get caught up in them because in reality it’s just a fictional experience we are creating in our head.
7. Packing.
For me, packing is a nightmare because my sister has all the suitcases we own because she is heading into her senior year of college. My mom will drop her off, bring the suitcases home, I will have time to pack with the suitcases for one day, and then we are off! Packing is the worst because you don’t know how much room you have for everything and if you will have to bring half the thing home because there is no space. Also, it’s sad seeing an almost empty closet and knowing everything will have a new home.
8. What about who I am leaving behind?
I am leaving behind my best friend and my mom. I’m worried about leaving my mom an empty nester. I know she will thrive without me but I hope not having any kids in the house will not set her back. And I feel bad leaving my best friend. We see each other almost everyday. Although I’ll see her for holidays and breaks, I know it will never be the same. I will never be able to walk to her house, or surprise her at her door unless it’s a holiday break.
9. That’s a rap.
Yes college is scary, and yes it will be a new start and a new everything. Just remember to remember everything and everyone. You’ll be fine, fellow classmates, you’ll be more than fine. You’ll have fun, find new things, new people, and grow up. You’ll be excellent.
