Last week, you high school seniors officially made a big step towards their future. You put down your deposits and made that college decision official. Now, you're eagerly waiting for orientation and move-in day, planning out your dorm decor and starting the search for the roommate you hope will end up being your best friend. You're finishing up your "lasts" of all your sports and activities, and you feel on top of the world with all the love you're getting from underclassmen. Prom and graduation will come and go, with random family members congratulating you and reminiscing on how much you've grown. You're excited to move on to the next chapter of your life, but are sad to be leaving the familiarity of your hometown (even if you don't think you are). The summer comes and goes, and you say your tearful goodbyes to your friends as the town empties out teenager by teenager. Soon, it'll be your turn to load up the countless articles of clothing and furniture you absolutely need at school. You have no idea what to expect in the coming months.
I was in your shoes a year ago. I still remember what it's like to be that high schooler. When I said goodbye to all of my friends, I cried as if I would never see them again, already trying to figure out when our breaks would line up and making plans to eventually visit each other at school. The balance of the world seemed to depend on the comforter you chose for your bed at school. Your entire life revolves around the day you wake up and take that one-way trip to your school. When that day comes and you watch your parents drive away, it hits you. Here you are, on your own.
Those first few weeks will be a rollercoaster. You're excited to meet new people and to be able to study what you love every day, but you'll scroll through posts on social media about your high school activities and shed a tear or 20 about not having that in your life anymore. You will probably video chat with at least three friends a week, finding out how they've been adjusting to their college lives or seeing how things are going back home. Your parents are going to check in with you every single day, whether it's through text message or social media. You'll attend the welcome events on campus, and your first few nights will consist of getting to know your roommate and talking about home.
As time goes on, you'll find yourself settling into a routine as you immerse yourself in your own college experience. Those video chats become much less frequent, and you'll call home maybe once a week. The longing to be a part of your high school activities fade as you find new ways to be involved on campus. Once the semester gets into full swing, you'll find yourself texting your friends from home less and less, if at all, at some points. You'll no longer know every single detail about everyone's life, because everyone else is going through the same thing. The friend you may have gone to for all your problems may have to miss out on some drama simply because it would take too long to explain the situation and the personalities of the people involved, and that's time you don't really have in between classes and homework and clubs. You may find yourself feeling envious of the new people your best friends are meeting, and you may feel a slight fear of being forgotten.
College will be overwhelming. You may think you'll be okay with 8 a.m.s since you woke up at the crack of dawn every day for high school. You will be wrong, and you will sleep through class at least once. You're going to have assignments and tests pile up, and it won't even be midterm week yet. You will consider dropping out, and there will be days where you stress eat like crazy and nights where you will just want to go home and cuddle with your pets. You may gain weight, even if you don't change your eating habits at all and are getting more exercise than you did at home. If you don't drink coffee yet, there's a 90 percent chance you will start.
Just know that this is all normal, and it's OK. College is the first step in the "growing up" process we sadly all have to go through. It forces you to put in your maximum effort in all aspects of your life, from sending a text every once in a while to a friend from home you haven't talked to, to learning time management the hard way after your first all-nighter. Right now, it seems like forever until move in day, but in the blink of an eye, it'll be finals week of spring semester. You'll feel so much older and experienced, even though you've been away from home for less than a year. It will also feel weird coming home and no longer having everything you need within walking distance, from the company of friends to Starbucks.
Appreciate these last few months at home, because you'll be surprised at how many little things you're going to miss. Eat as many home-cooked meals and local delicacies as you can. Take the time to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you, from family to friends to teachers, even if you think they already know. Spend extra time with your pets. Find any closure you need to. Leave your hometown knowing you left the best impact you could have.
Be willing to take on whatever college throws at you. Be open to new ideas, as you will meet people from completely different backgrounds. Try a club you would never think of doing in high school, and get involved on campus. Find yourself and shape that person into who you want to be. Make mistakes and learn from them. Allow yourself to have feelings, but maintain a positive outlook on life. Don't forget to check in with your family every once in a while, and keep up with the lives of your friends from home. Take advantage of everything you can in college, because this is that "in between" time where you don't have to be a functioning adult, but adult enough to be responsible for yourself. Have fun with it, and don't forget to breathe. College is a great time, and you're going to do amazing things.
