A bare bed, empty walls, and quiet room welcome you into your dorm room. This is now your home away from home, and it can be scary and lonely. Your family is in another state, your pets are waiting for you, and your friends have scattered across the map. While these feelings of sadness may wash over your body, you also experience fear, excitement, and courage. This transition from home to college and adulthood can be difficult, but with these tips, hopefully you'll be able to adapt quickly to your new surroundings and find a place where you belong.

1. Design your room.

Now is your chance to express yourself through posters, bedding, pictures, art, clothes, lights, and various other things you may use to decorate your room. When people walk into your dorm room to say hi, they'll be able to grasp what kind of person you are, and an instant connection will form. By keeping yourself busy in the excitement of planning your new room, you won't have time to dwell on how much you miss home.

2. Make new friends.

At college, everyone is in the same position. Some people may have friends from high school, but everyone will be looking for people to meet and talk to. Go from door to door down your dorm room hall, poke your head in, and say hi. People will be just as awkward and nervous as you, but you never know. One of them may become your best friend.

3. Explore.

Being a part of a college community is exhilarating. You have a new sense of freedom to do what you want and be with who you want. Go out and see what your campus has to offer. Make a plan to meet with some people you met from your dorm to get dinner or see one of the bands performing in the local downtown area. Acquire a mental map of where the best restaurants are and participate in the social aspect of college.

4. Get a job.

By working, you'll meet more people with similar interests, and you'll also have more money to spend on what you want. Also, working would distract your mind to focus on the task at hand, so you wouldn't be constantly thinking about your dog back home and how much you want to cuddle with him.

5. Exercise.

By staying physically active, your mind will be more alert, and your energy level will increase. You'll be able to engage in more social activities and also meet more people! Plus, you won't have to worry about gaining the Freshman 15. You'll be more confident. Especially when classes are extremely stressful, exercising will help decrease that anxiety. Your body will release natural endorphins that will give you a more positive outlook on your new experiences.

6. Call home once in a while.

To really transition into college and independence, you'll need to stop relying on your parents to do things for you. However, being in college doesn't mean you should pretend they don't exist. To avoid being homesick, occasionally call home (around once or twice every couple days) to check in and see how your family is doing. Also, your parents or siblings will appreciate you thinking about them and will love hearing all about the new and exciting chapter of your life. I'm sure they are just as excited as you are.

Whether you're at a community college, a Big Ten University, or a small state college, everyone gets homesick now and then. Remember that everyone is going through similar things, and you'll be able to push through. Keep busy, and enjoy the next four years!