Hello Students

Nervous? Excited? Maybe a little bit of both?

Transitioning from high school to college is a major life adjustment. It is completely normal to be scared, excited and nervous. Most of you have been in the same environment with the same friends and your family the last 4 years and are comfortable with life as you know it. GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE!!!! You are embarking on an adventure to the unknown -new friends, teachers, roommates, surroundings, and maybe even a new city you are not familiar with. The closeness you once had had with an environment you knew so well has turned into a new experience with so many people you know nothing about.

Be patient with yourself- you will adjust but it can take some time. This is your adventure, exciting and new. If you are living in dorms many colleges and universities have Instagram accounts where you can meet roommates with similar interests, so you have common ground with new friends which can be nice. Also, there are so many clubs where you can meet likeminded people. There will usually be an orientation or social event where the clubs have tables set up and you can get information on all the different organizations on campus. They do so many fun things. At the end of the day if you still feel like a small fish in a big pond and have not found your person-keep trying. Chances are you are not the only one that feels this way. What hobby’s do you have? What do you like to do? At the end of the day when my son was struggling with this (he decided against trying the bumble for roommates) I told him to go do what he loves to do-play basketball. He went to the campus REC center and what do you know? He found his person. In fact, 4 of them. One is still his roommate to this day. There are so many fun things to do at college. Even if you did not play a sport in high school, they have intramural leagues for fun!!! For me personally I was a bookworm and met my friends in the library. If none of these options sound great to you- meet friends in your classes, start study groups, attend campus events or get a job on campus. Most importantly be friendly and make an effort. You are not alone and not the only one feeling this way.