The first thing you should know is that college will change you. Not in a bad way, but it will test you in many different areas. The hurdles that you will overcome will make you more mature and ready to achieve great things. You will blossom, you will realize what is important to you and you will set goals.
You are going to a completely new setting, it is totallly OK to be nervous and even a little scared. Let that feeling motivate you to put yourself out there and get involved on campus. Don't let it make you hide and crawl into a little hole. It is so easy to get overwhelmed, validate that. You owe it to yourself to give credit where it is due.
Classes are going to be difficult, teachers are going to be hard to understand and it is tempting to skip class. However, do not skip unless you are really sick. It may be painful to sit in class, but you never know when a teacher could say something helpful. If you start skipping, you will think it is okay to continue to skip. Before you know it, you will have a test coming up and have no idea what the hell is going on. Save yourself the worries and just suck it up, go to class.
Friends will come and go; not everyone you meet in college is going to be your friend forever. Don't let that baffle you. Be open and ready to meet new people all the time, be friendly. You may think the friend drama is over; but truth be told, it always exists. The key is to stay focused on your schoolwork, talk out your issues, avoid the texting fight-- just talk in person, and think before you speak/act.
Love interests are also going to come and go. The hookup culture is huge in college, so don't be afraid of it. However, be careful and safe. Know who you are. If you know you catch feelings fast don't hook up The right guy will come in time. Stop searching for it, I promise you it will come.
Homesickness is real. You will miss your family, your bed, your dog, etc. It is really difficult to be away from home. You are not the only one who misses it. When you feel sad, call your family. They want to hear from you, they are there to support you even if they are not physically there. They are cheering for you, they want you to succeed.
There is loneliness. You may be around people all the time, but still feel completely alone. You might get really down on yourself sometimes, but you are not alone. Even in the toughest times remember you are loved, you are wanted, and you can do it. Bad days happen. In fact, bad weeks even happen. Don't let that get you down. You are a boss-ass-bitch who can get through it.
Lastly, remember how important it is to stay true to yourself. College is the time to be a little selfish. Stop always doing things for other people, and put yourself first for once. Learn how you work and how you succeed. It will take time, but you will find your groove.
Kill them with kindness and stay strong.
Love,
Older, Wiser You
