I think almost every incoming college freshman can agree that we have heard the same few questions about entering college since we decided where to go, graduated, or are nearing closer to move-in day. It feels as if the first day of high school was yesterday and we were preparing for 4 years of change. Well here we are again, the time is coming and the one broad question that seems so easy yet difficult to answer has been bouncing around in conversation: “Are you ready?”

As common a question as it is, it’s kind of a silly thing to ask. Am I ready to move out of my house for the first time? Am I ready to say goodbye to my friends since kindergarten, parents, and siblings? Am I ready to take on new responsibilities and learn to manage a new workload and other activities? Am I ready to play a college level sport, or make completely new friends? Am I ready to stay out past the curfew that was set for me or to not have to report my whereabouts to my parents constantly? Am I ready to share a room with someone or a bathroom with a whole floor? Am I ready to be a college student?

I don’t know.

How can I be “ready” for something that I have never done before? All summer dreaded goodbyes have sat heavy on my chest and even the things like buying a comforter or bathroom towels and carpets feel weird because it isn’t for my bedroom at home. Its all new regardless if you’ve watched older siblings, cousins or friends do it all. Now it’s our turn, and maybe we’re all a little lost. We’re on a giant ship heading towards the rest of our life and we don’t know how bumpy the ride will be or how difficult it will be. Recently I’ve found myself saying “I won’t know until I’m there” pretty often. I won’t know if I’ll miss my parents yet, or if I’ll call because I haven’t left them. I won’t know if I’ll keep in touch with my high school friends because we aren’t apart yet. I won’t know if I’ll join the clubs I want to, or make friends with the girl on Instagram who seems pretty cool because I’m not at my college and I haven’t met or lived with any of these people. I can say that I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m a little confused and feeling a bit of every emotion because this is something new and no matter how ready I may think that I am or seem to be to enter this new place, I just don’t know.