Last May, I walked off the stage at my high school graduation, and seemingly walked right into "adulthood". I know that this is not quite literal, and I know of the naivety that comes with being 18, but to the world around me I was "an adult now". This seems to be an experience that most recently-graduated seniors have. Although you don't necessarily feel any older or more experienced, the people around you suddenly expect more, expect you to be different. We're expected to go off to school, to already have a major/job in mind (though everyone swears you can be undeclared, despite the stigma that surrounds it), and to suddenly have the knowledge of what it's like to live alone. More often than not, we have no idea how to live away from home, let alone being at a school that is two, four, or even eight hours away. However, we do learn very quickly.
The first thing I dealt with was crippling fear. The idea of moving to another city in another state sounds really cool and fun until about three weeks before move-in. Then, you're hit with the gravity of what's really happening. Despite the fact that I already had experiences switching schools and meeting new people, this experience was incredibly different, and many students I've spoken to can attest to this. No one finds it easy to build a new life in a new place, with people you don't know; It's terrifying. One thing is for sure: there is a special kind of camaraderie built around this shared experience. Everyone is scared, everyone is nervous, so the first few weeks are spent meeting a ton of incredibly kind students who understand what's going on. You're not alone, and it's comforting.
Adapting to a new environment alone is incredibly difficult. Moving to the south from Michigan, I had to get used to a different climate, and then learn how to dress for the day accordingly, which is a lot trickier than it sounds (especially when every room is incredibly cold in the summer and insanely hot in the winter!). For many friends, this meant trying to learn and understand a new place after living in one town for 10-18 years. This is especially difficult for those who don't have access to transportation and students who moved a significant distance; It is incredibly easy to feel isolated. Many friends said that this made them realize the love and gratitude that they held for their parents. We spend our whole lives being helped and guided, whether we realized it or not. Whether it was just a friendly face when we walked in the door, or a home cooked meal when we are exhausted from the day, the absence is noticed.
Even just learning how to live in of itself can be difficult. When you're used to one schedule for so long, it's hard to adapt and create a new one. What if the laundry situation doesn't coincide with what you're used to, what if the cafeteria/food places are closed on campus (depending on your situation) when you are used to eating throughout the day, what if the food just isn't conducive to what you normally eat/need? For many students, this is the first time they need to budget their own money, and learn to balance school, a social life, and maybe a job all on their own. These things aren't necessarily taught to you in school before-hand. Students often joke about how "we don't know how to pay taxes or balance a checkbook, but at least we know that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", and it's true! Although the education that we receive prior to going to college is incredibly important, we often forget that basic life skills are important too. That being said, these things are incredibly easy to pick up on, it's just that no one really seems to remember that their essential until after you've gone.
It is worth mentioning that moving away is not just comprised of negative reactions and situations. Students tend to cite freedom as one of the best things about being away. You're free to do what you want, when you want, and granted, as long as you're using this newfound freedom wisely, it is pretty great. The opportunity to be in a new place, with no rules except the ones you make for yourself is incredible, especially when you have new faces to go at it with you. They say you make life-long memories in high school, but your life-long friends in college, and it is easy to see why once you give it a try.
There really is no better life experience than just throwing yourself right into the mix, and college is a great way to do that. Even if you are terrified of what life may be like or what struggles lie ahead, I say just go for it. There are going to be struggles and hardships no matter what path you take in life. If you're not sure this path is for you, if moving away so soon feels right or not, I'd say just try it. You never know what amazing experiences you could have if you don't give it a shot.
