1. Do not be psych yourself out
College is a big step, just in general, but working yourself up before you even begin it will make everything a lot worse for you in the long run! Appreciate the fact that you get to go to college out of state and take every advantage you can from doing so. These are the best years of your life (so I'm told), make them count!
2. Call your parents
Honestly, I had a bit of trouble with this in the beginning. I was so used to be alone that I honestly just forgot to call in check in, but it did help me on the days where I was homesick. They truly are your number one fans and will do anything to make sure you realize that, so a 30 minute phone call will NOT kill you, stop acting like it will. For me, that is my little piece of home every once in a while.
3. Do not eat food you don't eat at home, you're just bored
I am not going to say that I am the healthiest eater while I'm at college, and it is quite hard to eat healthy when Wendy's and Chick fil a are right around the corner from your dorm! However, make an effort to have some fruits and vegetables everyday, you'll feel a lot better if you do....trust me!
4. Your roommates do not need to be your only friends
Yes, you will spend quite a bit your roommates, but they do NOT need to be the only people you ever hangout with! Not going to lie, I got extremely lucky with my roommates because they are AWESOME, but the girls I have met that do not live with me are equally as AWESOME, and I am so grateful to have met them!
5. Take advantage of being in a foreign place, to you
Not everyone gets to experience going out of state for college, and that in itself is an opportunity worth taken, if given the chance to do so. Go to the stores, the parks, the restaurants and get to know the town, it may be a place you call a second home one day!
6. Independence is NOT a bad thing
In the past six months of being away from home, I have learned so much about myself that I know I never would have if I had stayed at home for college. It is truly amazing to get to witness yourself growing into the adult you are supposed to be. You are in the drivers seat, and you finally do not have any backseat drivers!
7. Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone
This was definitely one of the hardest things for me, and I have my roommate to thank for helping me do so. You finally have the opportunity to make your own decisions and do your own thing, so do it! Learn to have fun and experience things that you never really would have done if you were home! Think about it, you are already halfway there, you're already in a different state!
8. Reach out to your friends from home
Again, in the beginning I struggled with doing this, but I learned that when I did do this, it made me feel a lot better and I genuinely enjoyed hearing about my friends' success! For me, seeing a text or phone call from an old friend is exciting because I get to hear about what's going on with them, but also it feels like nothing ever changed! They're always going to be there, remember that!
9. Remember your roots
Being away from home gives you the chance to start your adult life on your terms, but that doesn't give you the excuse of forgetting your values. One thing I pride myself on is knowing who I am and how I was raised. Going into college, so many different things and personalities are constantly being thrown at you, but do not forget that if your momma wouldn't want you to do it, you probably shouldn't. Also, not one person can ever make you feel small! Take the world by storm, you deserve it! "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."- Eleanor Roosevelt
10. Do not give up
You have worked so hard to get where you are now, do not give up because you are homesick. Being away from something you have known for so long is very, very hard, but it makes you into a stronger person in the long run. My advice, give it at least a year, and maximize your options. If then, you do not enjoy where you are, than you can THINK about transferring, but you have to give it a shot, it's not fair to you if you don't!
Nothing about college is easy, nothing! However, these 10 things are daily reminders to me to keep moving and grooving! You only get one chance at life, and you should take full advantage of it! College is pretty sweet, you just have to give it a try!
