August. Classes are finalized, college bills are due and the final goodbyes are said between childhood best friends. College is starting and the anxiety and happiness of starting a new book in a series of life is exhilarating. With move in in less than two weeks away, here are seven thoughts every incoming freshman has had.
1. “I can’t wait to get out of this house and be on my own.”
A newfound freedom starts building fast. Most of us have been locked up for the past 18 years and just want to show our parents how "easy" it really is. Really, it's going to be hell and in less than two weeks (less for some of us) we'll be calling home to tell our parents how much we miss them.
2. “My room is going to be the coolest dorm on campus.”
Hours spent on Pinterest bring out everyone’s inner "decorator" and makes us all think our dorm is going to be the best looking and homiest dorm around. We then start to realize how expensive everything in our dream dorm really is and stick to everything we already have. I’ve bought only the necessities and nothing else.
3. “I’m going to miss you guys.”
Your friends since grade school start packing and leaving. You say you’ll Skype, text, call, etc., all the time but there’s a part inside of you that makes you think that won’t happen. With the first week of college packed with new activities for incoming freshman, there may or may not be any time left to keep in contact with your childhood friends. Remember to send a Facebook message occasionally, though.
4. “What do I even pack?”
Everyone has their own input on what I should bring, yet I’m convinced no one actually knows what to actually bring. Bed sheets, obviously. Towels, check. But if I pack too much I’m left stressed because I don’t have enough room and if I forget stuff I have to make multiple trips to Target. It’s a never ending battle with myself.
5. “Will I fit in?”
Whether you’re from a small town going to a big(ger) city or even a more conservative place to a more liberal town, the thought of standing out scares the living socks of you. Don’t worry, we’re all in the same boat and most of us are just really good at pretending.
6. “I can’t afford this”
More than once I’ve come home completely blank telling my mom I’m going to “drop out of college, become a bum, live in her basement, and write terrible novels that might one day hit it big.” She laughs, then consoles me, and tells me I’m doing the right thing regardless of what either of our bank accounts say. Yes, college is expensive and should be free, but that shouldn’t get in anyone’s way of achieving a life-long goal.
7. “Will I be successful?”
Everyone’s idea of success is different ,but the thought of not achieving it is the worst thing any of us could be pardoned with. Sure, your grandma will always tell you how cute and awesome you are, but deep down you know it’s because she has to say it. You want cold, hard evidence that you are going to achieve everything you’ve ever wanted -- and then some -- and never have set backs. News flash: this won’t happen unless you work your hardest, and there will always be bumps in the road to make sure it’s what you really want. Just keep striving for it.
