glitter_bug Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 hello everyone here at the shack! I'm sort of new here - but i've been lurking reading posts for a little while now. I'm going away to college next week to another state and I'm freaking out! I don't know anyone in the whole state, and my family and friends are at least a 10 hour drive away. I've never lived away from my family before and we are very close. I'm not quite sure if I am the college 'type'. I am quite shy at making new friends - but once i've made them i tend to keep them forever. Basically I am looking for advice to make new friends, and how to stop feeling homesick. I know I will miss them HEAPS. I'm to do leaving for a five year course which is a fantastic oppertunity to follow my dream, to do what i've always wanted. I would hate to have to drop out because i couldn't cope with the change (I dont adapt to new situations very well) Anyone out there that has recently (or not so recently) done this? How did you cope? Link to post Share on other sites
shamen Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Hi glitterbug, Moving away to college is a frightening experience, but you know, an absolutely incredible one. Are you moving into the dorms? I hope so. You will make a ton of friends just by living there. Many people are in the same situation, leaving family and friends behind. It will be OK. Bring a journal with you. Be willing to just sit in a commons room and meet people while you're studying, or writing in your journal, or taking notes, or whatever. You'll meet people in classes, in the dorms, in the commons room. It's great! My college years are fondly remembered. The learning part will keep you really busy too. A lot of people drop out the first year, but don't let that statistic be you too. You will be able to handle it, you've got a cellphone? Call your family, send emails. Keep in contact. Write about your homesickness here on LS if you have to. If this is your dream, let that dream run your life for a while. Keep your ultimate goal in mind. Link to post Share on other sites
Evanescence Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Hi Glitter_Bug I'm actually just finishing up my 4th year away from home. Mind you I'm only 2 hours away from home, but when you go to a new city, and you don't know a single person, it's just as scary. My first day into the dorm I immediately clicked with someone, and eventually more friendships came through other people in the dorm as well as people in my classes. If you have classes that you interact directly with other people (i.e. labs), then that is awesome for making new friends. The good thing about moving away to college is that a huge chunk of the people are in your shoes as well. Everyone is scared and excited, just as you are. A lot of people go there on their own as you are, although some are lucky enough to have a friend who is also going to the same school. This fact makes it that much easier to make friends. Try and get people's numbers or IM addresses so that you can have people in your classes that you can talk to about class if you have questions, or if you miss a class. These individuals could actually become your close friends. Many of the friends I made I met through other people. I met a few select individuals in first year, and every year that number grew. Even in my 4th year, 2nd semseter! I am meeting people. Even if at the end of first year you don't know many people, come the next year you will probably double the amount, and it only goes up, hardly ever down. It is amazing how easy it can be. If you are staying in a dorm, which you probably are, this is a very good thing. This is where the people in your situation are concentrated. Take part in floor activities, and residence activities. Go to these events and get to know people. I didn't do these things (because I didn't really have the will to do them, but now I kind of wish I did), and I can only imagine how many more friends I would have if I would have done them. Going away to college is one of the best decisions you could have made for yourself. When you are finished, you will see what I mean. It teaches you how to meet people, how to take care of yourself, how to start from scratch, how to be a responsible person.... so many things I can't even go on to explain. It really helps you grow up and I am SO happy that I had the opprotunity to do so. I have so many friends who never did this, and they have no idea what it is like to have to take care of themselves. I have a friend who just got married, and the shock of having to take care of herself (and the added shock I suppose of taking care of someone else) was bothersome to her. People who don't move away don't really know what its like to pay bills on their own, have to make their own meals, clean their own messes (especially the dishes/kitchen and the bathroom!). Even if your mom and dad are giving you money for this (which if they don't, that is an added experience in itself), learning to pay bills and rent on time, and going grocery shopping for yourself, and knowing when to do the cleaning, are all experiences that are well worth having. Its ok to be scared, but you will soon learn that there is nothing to be scared of, only things to be excited and happy about. Good luck, and make the most of it!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Author glitter_bug Posted March 5, 2005 Author Share Posted March 5, 2005 Thanks for all your encouragement guys! Just to update you..I have moved into my college now (you guys call them dorms over there i think), and am LOVING it. I do miss my family (esp my horse!) a bit but i really feel like i have a brand new family with 90 new sisters! My uni course starts next week, I hope its not too hard. I'm feeling much more confident though, so I'm sure I'll cope. Link to post Share on other sites
shamen Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 Hi glitterbug! I'm so happy for you that you are loving your experience so far! Yea, you're feeling more confident too. It's partially about just getting past that first hurdle of moving in. Your classes will go just as well, I'm sure! You'll certainly work your butt off as college (university) is so much harder than high school; but that's just part of the appeal. You'll feel like you're actually learning something totally new every day. Link to post Share on other sites
Girlie Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Hi Glitter_bug!! I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. College is so much fun. I was homesick at times, for sure, but I have so many fond memories of undergraduate school. I'm sure you will, too! Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
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