While a part of me can't wait to go to college, another part of me is a little hesitant. As an incoming freshman, I can attest to the following list of emotions and experiences that freshmen like me are likely to encounter before college.
1. Excitement
![]()
This is probably the strongest emotion you are going to feel before getting to college. You can't wait to get out of your town and finally meet some new people. The most exciting part is that you'll be on your own, without parents, for a whole year!
2. Sadness
![]()
At the same time that you are super excited to go, you also feel sad leaving all of your amazing friends and memories behind. You know that there are even better things to come, but it can be hard to keep that fact in mind. You feel like you might not ever have friends like you have right now, again!
3. Fear
![]()
What if I don't make any friends? What if I hate it there and this ends up being the worst time of my life? What if I gain the freshman 15 in the first month that I'm there? What if my roommate tries to kill me? I mean, they're a total stranger!
4. A Shopping Craze
![]()
Going to college allows you to go shopping for, basically, anything. There is so much cute stuff that you didn't even know you might need, but now that you saw it, you absolutely have to have it! You can make an excuse to buy anything you want, and luckily, your parents will fund many of these shopping sprees.
![]()
Going to school is a little nerve wracking every year. It can be especially nerve wracking when you have no idea what to expect. You have no idea how big of an adjustment academics will be, or, in other words, will you be able to pass your classes?
6. Rethinking The Whole Idea
![]()
At one point you think, should I even go to college? There are plenty of jobs I can get without going to college and spending all this money! Also, I like my bed here at home, I'm not sure I want to risk going and sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress for so long. Am I making the right decision here?
7. Reassurance
![]()
Yes. Yes, you're making the right decision. After calming yourself down a little bit, you remember how much fun you will have, and how many opportunities will come out of this. This is definitely what you want to do, and what needs to happen.
8. FOMO
![]()
Whether you are the last of your friends to leave, or the first to go, you will experience some fomo. If you are one of the first to get to college, you will be sad that you're missing that extra time hanging out with old friends. If you're one of the last to go, you will be sad that you're missing out on all that fun college stuff! Snapchat is not always your favorite app because this is where everyone shows you what you're missing.
![]()
As the departure day gets closer, you have to try to figure out how to cram all of that stuff you bought into boxes and bags. After you do that, you wonder if it is even going to fit in your car, that is, if you're driving to school. Also, this packing usually gets put off for a while, so you have to do this large task in just a short amount of time.
10. Nostalgia
![]()
A small part of you wants to be little again so you don't have to worry about grades, money, the real world, and a whole lot more. You kind of wish you could go back for just a little while to remember what it felt like to be so young and carefree.
11. Tears
![]()
There will most likely be some tears shed, whether it be with a
best friend, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or parents. College is a big change for everyone, and even if you're not super sad about leaving, you may cry a tiny bit. If you are sad about leaving, then you will probably cry a lot more, but then you remember that you're going to have an amazing time, and you will see all of your friends and
family again very soon.
