As a sophomore, it wasn't too long ago that I was in your shoes. I vividly remember spending months prepping, packing, and saying my farewells- just as you are. Through conversations with my friends from high school, though, I've come to realize that my experience with leaving home was much different than many of the others I have heard. There was no homesickness, no anxiety about leaving everything I had ever known. In fact, it was the complete opposite. For me, the thought of moving to a new city, 6 hours away, was so unbelievably exciting. At first, after realizing that I had skipped the anxiety-ridden-calling-home-every-hour freshman phase (which I am in no way discrediting, as it is totally normal), I felt guilty. Was I a terrible daughter for not wanting to call home every single night? Would my friends hate me for so quickly losing touch? Would my parents be disappointed that I was more than ready to leave the small town I grew up in? The answer is a resounding "no." Everybody has a different experience when they leave home, whether you're nervous as hell and clinging to your mom as she drops you off in your dorm, or you're kicking her out before you have even unpacked your first box of clothes, here are 4 things you need to remember your first week of college:
1. Constant communication isn't always necessary.
I promise, when it comes to communicating with the people back home, nobody will be more upset about you dropping the ball than, well, you. A call home every couple of days will be sufficient if you find yourself getting caught up in your new routine. Your parents know that you're busy exploring campus, rearranging your room, and attending your school's freshman activities. Your friends will understand that you are out meeting new people and getting to know your roommates (and if they don't, then please know that it is okay to distance yourself from them). But, if you find that you're missing your family a little extra, a phone call will make all the difference, after all, they're your biggest support.
2. Homesickness varies.
It is perfectly normal to miss your bed, your dog, your family. It is also completely okay if you're completely okay. There is no rule-book to study before you leave that will prepare you for the emotions that follow move-in. There is no right or wrong way to feel when you've just made this big step toward adulthood.
However, if you feel yourself becoming depressed or severely homesick, it is important to know that you aren't alone, and there are tons of resources available to help you get through it.
*Visit your school's website or health services to see what resources are available to you.
3. Every single freshman on campus is in the same boat as you.
You aren't the only new kid on campus. There are hundreds, even thousands, of people around you that are just as confused and lost as you are. If you can't figure out where the biology lab is, odds are there are at least a dozen more freshman who can't either. Take a deep breath, grab your campus map, and find someone who can help. If you notice the kid with the green sneakers is holding the same textbook as you, ask if you can walk together. You will be spending the next two to four, or maybe more, years with these people- don't be afraid to reach out to them.
4. This is just the beginning.
Above all, remember that this is only week one. You will get lost. You're bound to mess up. However, you will also meet the most down-to-earth people, and make the most incredible memories, if you let yourself. Maybe you're nervous about being away from home. Maybe you're so ready to start this new chapter of your life that you don't think twice before diving right in. Regardless of how you walk onto that campus, know that you will walk away a new person- one who is even more confident and ready to conquer the world.
