<p>I move in August 16th(early for preseason :( ), and have become increasingly more nervous about moving. I am dreading Saturday, for the closer I am to moving in, the more things I seem to miss, as if I am already homesick.
I am doubting my ability to live amongst strangers, especially in a dorm where privacy is limited. Acadmically I am conifident, but with the reality of college setting in, I feel overwhelemed.
As I was packing, I realized I now must share a room, bathroom, shower, kitchen with roomates, must transition to a new sports team, must take a meal plan and no longer have my own transportation, and it seems like such a drastic change(not that I am selfish, but all that sharing seems to limit ones privacy).
I know a few people from orientation, but truly feel alone(I am very shy until I get to know people, and had some bad friend problems). I did not aniticipate how stressful this process is, it feels like there is an endless list of things to do in a very short amount of time. I am not at all excited about school, and have trouble thinking of the positives of college.
For anyone who has dealt with the these emotions and experianced such before freshman year, how do you ease such anxities? Is this a possible sign that I picked the wrong school or picked a closer college? Any advice?</p>
<p>I think that's how everyone feels. I'd offer some advice but I'm in the same boat.</p>
<p>I feel the same way (the anxiety, huge uncertainty part). But take a little consolation in that is how nearly EVERYONE will feel at the beginning. Just go out of your way to be as friendly as possible to everyone you meet, participate in everything you can when you are there, and have confidence that things will go smoothly :)</p>
<p>I felt the same way. In HS I had very few (but close) friends. I was afraid to meet new people as I was extraordinarily shy and never ever even had a bf.</p>
<p>But it worked itself out. People talked to me, because most of them didn't have my shyness issues and I have really come out of my shell a lot, and talking to people, whether or not they be random, is increasingly easy for me. I've even had 2 bfs in college, and life for me has just gotten better, more good friends than I could have imagined. I still want to transfer after this year, but more so because i should have left my state a long time ago but now I have the confidence to do so. ;)</p>
<p>Just let things fall into place. No need to stress.</p>
<p>I don't think this is a sign that you picked the wrong school at all. </p>
<p>If you read some of my other posts, I generally give the same advice, and a lot of people tend to have the same idea: College is what you make of it. If you get there and act as if everyone else is in YOUR space and trespassing in your privacy, then they will definitely be put off by that. On my floor, the people who acted like we were constantly in their way in the bathroom or in the kitchen were the people that rarely had any friends. Yea, dorms aren't the most private places, and it will be something that you'll have to get used to, but it's a new experience! Stay positive!</p>
<p>Anxiety about these new transitions is very very normal. You will get there, and you'll realize that a LOT of people will feel the same way. However, it would be a good idea to take this new transitioning opportunity to step out of your shy tendencies. It's a brand new world, so take advantage of that. </p>
<p>The great thing about college, is that if you realize that people on your floor/building aren't the most appealing, there are plenty more in other buildings/floors. Just try not to think too much about it, and just let everything happen in the order that it does. </p>
<p>My floor didn't really congregate and become really close until a few weeks into school, so it's not an instant process.</p>
<p>It's more about missing the convienance of having my own bathroom/shower, and a kitchen always stocked with food and missing my pets(and queen bed).
I have some fairly serious problems with social anxiety(have trouble talking on the phone, even to friends...some other stuff), more so than most. Immature high schoolers who clung to their cliques didn't help. I was the person with friends from different groups, which didn't really work out in HS. I am more concerned socially about the maturity of peers compared to those in HS, as I am sure everyone here(especially girls) know how silly the whole HS social status is.
Any advice on how to prepare/adjust for the big shock?</p>
<p>It was annoying to ask my roomie not to look every time I had to get dressed from the shower (no changing stall in the bathrooms where I am) but it wasn't the end of the world. I liked my bathroom privacy at my house, and I'm gonna be blunt, pooping in the dorm bathrooms was soooooo annoying. Least favorite thing. But the other good aspects of college will outweigh the bad.</p>
<p>And yes, I know all about the little groups in high school. Many people from my hs still have their little groups are are depressed in college b/c they no longer have the popularity they did in HS.</p>
<p>But at least in my college there are no clicks. There are groups of friends, like the two sides of the dorm halls grouped up, but we all interacted just fine. There is gossip and what not, but I've found its rarely malicious things, more so who slept with who and who did what when they were drunk. But not "oh my gosh shes so fat" kinda things.</p>
<p>Don't get my wrong, theres idiots no matter where you will go in life, but I think its much better than HS.</p>
<p>And i had some social anxiety also, as in I couldn't go to the mall without feeling very uncomfortable, walking with my head down, and leaving asap. I wouldn't even go into some stores because of the people in them. I no longer have those problems. Theres really nothing you can do. I would just maybe think of some good general conversation starters you will ask people so you have something to talk about it. :) </p>
<p>Meeting everyone initially can be very awkward, especially if theres silence.</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that every single person you meet, no matter how confident they seem, has gone through or is going through the same thing you are. Just go with the flow and enjoy yourself, you rarely get the chance to start over in life.</p>
<p>The good thing about going to college and being new is that everyone is the same way, and everyone wants to make friends. This makes things a lot easier, people are more open to getting to know you. Take advantage of this by smiling and saying "hi" and trying to remember names. The first two months will be rough, but you shoud adjust and get used to it all.</p>
<p>you'll get use to it and meet people fast and won't be homesick after a while</p>
<p>you're not alone; i feel the same way.</p>
<p>i've been at boarding school for my high school years, and we had to live in dorms similar to colleges, so i understand the anxiety you are feeling. certainly, privacy is lessened, since you are not technically alone all the time, but by no means does it feel like you are constantly being watched or uncomfortable. it's simply a transition that will be fairly easy to make once you settle into your daily routine at college.</p>
<p>It's SO nice to know I'm not alone. I'd been feeling the same way and was then panicking, feeling like I'd chosen wrong. I feel much better after reading this thread. :)</p>
<p>I love the advice out of these kind of threads.</p>
<p>It's fairly natural to feel this way.</p>
<p>Most schools (at least mine did this) go out of their way to make freshmen and transfers feel comfortable if you're willing to reach out to them and join their organized gatherings and meetings to meet new people and better adjust.</p>
<p>I had a single room so I never had any roommate problems but sharing a bathroom could be hellish at times, only because some of my floormates had questionable hygiene. </p>
<p>Other than that, it seemed that during the first few weeks of classes everyone is out trying to make new friends - which is usually the best time to meet people,</p>
<p>I met most of my friends by being lost and confused. I would wander around campus lost, run into another lost student who happened to be looking for the same class as I was, and we'd end up roaming the campus together and eventually became friends. Or, same scenario, except I'd be confused about a lecture, find another confused student and so fourth.</p>
<p>In regards to finding friends, your best bet is to join some clubs and participate in on-campus activities. </p>
<p>I enjoyed my previous college a lot. The only downside to dorm life, in my experience, is that while college students are able to quote Mencius and write a 20-page term paper in two hours - none of them were capable of microwaving popcorn without burning it and setting off the fire alarm. Every night.</p>
<p>Just remember: they're only strangers until they become friends. In a day or two you'll be close to at least a few of them, often merely out of survival and mutual need. Just be willing to talk to people, leave your door open, and attend any activity that you're invited to (providing it's legal!). You'll be set in no time!!</p>
<p>You said that you're going to be on a sports team there, that usually means an instant group of friends. I'd consider those on my team my best friends in college from day 1 and they still are.</p>
<p>To the OP - are you a guy or girl? And what sport do you play?</p>
<p>Most often those who play for a school team (specifically football and basketball, or the sport that your school focuses in on) are automatically noticed just because they're part of the team. I see basketball players picking up chicks left and right just by saying "Hi, I'm INSERT NAME HERE, I'm on the basketball team".</p>
<p>I am playing D3 womens soccer</p>
<p>OP,</p>
<p>i just wanted to say thanks for starting this thread. i feel exactly the same as you. i've been extremely high strung for the past few days and am not looking forward to living w/any less privacy than i already have now. i do anything/everything nowdays to keep me from thinking about the transition....</p>
<p>except being here on CC.....</p>
<p>anways, thanks again for this thread and for all those who've posted that they feel the same way! we're all here to help each other!!</p>