I’m moving into college tomorrow, officially beginning my life away from home. It seems like it was only yesterday when I made my decision. I can’t believe it’s already time to go. Right now, I’m emotionally wrecked, and I haven’t even moved in yet. As I write this post, I can honestly say I don’t want to leave. I want to stay home. I’ve grown so used to my family and the memories we’ve made together over the last 18 years. Looking around the house and my room is absolute torture. I feel so depressed because I know I won’t see this place again for quite a long time. Everything is going to be so different from what I’m used to. I don’t know how to further express how anxious I feel about my impending future. I have to be at the university library in a little more than 12 hours, and at the current moment, I can’t handle it. I feel emotionally devastated by the coming changes. Does anyone here on College Confidential have any advice or wisdom to share with me which might calm my nerves?
“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I’ve never let it keep me from doing anything a single thing I wanted to do.” Georgia O’Keefe
Its totally normal to have these feelings. You can handle it! You can do the things!
Hugs to you. Sometimes we just do the hard things until they get easier. You are strong enough and brave enough to reach for your dreams. It’s okay to be scared and anxious. Just do it anyway. Get involved. Study hard. Take each step as it comes.
Break it down into small, manageable pieces. Yes, it’s a big transition but I’m assuming this is something you and your family have been working towards for a long time. Be proud of your accomplishment and try to think of all the exciting things yet to come. Everyone in your class will be in the same boat. Try it, give it time, and see how it goes.
Your home will always be there – it’s your safe harbor. But you are ready to sail! You will get to have amazing experiences, meet new people, learn new things… And you can return to your have safe harbor of home. They are not mutually exclusive.
Take comfort - a lot of people share your feelings in some way. It’s normal to feel nervous about new situations and about leaving a place you love.
If you start feeling overwhelmed, break it down and focus on the minute you’re in, not all the minutes between now and coming home. You’ve got this!!
- It is normal to have some anxiety. Are you having more anxiety than a typical freshman?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with anxiety? Have you even not done something you wanted to because of anxiety?
- Is anxiety a sort of justification of why you may not want to go to college now?
4,. Colleges know that many freshman have anxiety/homesickness…that is why they have orientation to help you get used to the campus and make new friends. They have Resident Assistants that you can talk to.
- Colleges have Counseling Centers that will help with anxiety...go talk to them.
- You will continue to make memories with your family...at Tgiving, Xmas, Spring Break, Summer, etc. Those memories are even more memorable because they are special. We just went with my DDs to Hawaii last summer...it was very special just having our immediate family together.
- You can communicate/skype/facetime with your family whenever you want.
- You can do this...but if you feel you can't...get help first from the Counseling office. Soon everything won't be new. Right now everything is.