6 Things to Know Before Moving Away for College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

6 Things to Know Before Moving Away for College

For the Anxious Teens

14
6 Things to Know Before Moving Away for College
Daniel Grill/Getty Images

1. You really don't have to talk to someone every day to consider them a best friend.

This was the hardest thing for me to adapt to. If I wasn't seeing someone or talking to someoneeach day, I thought they'd forget me. I thought that they people who hadn't talked to me ALL semester just didn't care about how I was doing being 6 hours away with a bunch of people I had never met before.. But, that wasn't the case.

2. People keep going on with their lives without you around, and that's okay.

This one goes hand and hand with the first one. People have their own license to live and their own business o worry about. This doesn't necessarily mean you don't cross their mind or that they don't care what's going on in your life. Besides, this makes “Reunions” a little more exciting.

3. Sadly, some people won't realize it's the first time they've seen you in a few months when you come back to visit.

What a difficult pill to swallow. You've just gotten home for the first time in 2 or 3 months and you're beyond excited. You walk up to a friend or two who you've been so excited to see. Their reaction is nonchalant. It's almost like they didn't realize you were gone or care. Don't be so sensitive. I promise they realized. Going back to number one, you don't have to eye or talk to someone every day to consider them a best friend.

4. While you don't have to speak to someone every day to remain close, some people will become distant altogether.

Let’s be realistic, to everyone cares. That's just how it is. Some of my closest friends from high school never spoke to me unless I basically forced them into it. That's okay. You're going to drift from some people. People are going to change. You're going to head down a path that some people don't understand or agree with. Some of your friends will go down a path that you do not understand or agree with either. Don’t worry about losing and keeping people. It will take care of itself, I promise.

5. You shouldn't be afraid to make new friends. You aren't replacing anyone, just expanding your world a little.

Change is good. Moving away makes you realize just how much of a bubble you've lived in. I kind of avoided people for a couple of weeks when I first moved into my dorm. I was scared my friends would be jealous or that I would forget them. Going back to number 2, people keep living their lives and so should you. Expand your world. Don't live in a bubble. There’s different people all over this earth, get to know as many as you can.

6. Sometimes, it's great to be surrounded by people who know nothing about you.

Being from a small town, everyone knows everything about you. At least they think they do. I never knew how beneficial it would be to get away from that for a little while. No one knows any of your baggage, and they get to know and like you for just being you. The greatest feeling is being surrounding by positivity with no worries of rumors and drama.

Just have fun. Don't get in the mindset of temporary. This is now a part of your journey. Love it. Make new friends. Be outgoing. Do things you never thought you would (legal of course). Be yourself and live your life. Don’t worry about losing people. Be adventurous. You're only in college once. Make some memories and lifelong friends.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193375
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16745
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459280
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27426
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments