Dear Freshman Who Just Got Dropped Off,
Your parents help you move in, unpack and leave you standing in a room with a stranger you barely know. You look around this room and think to yourself, “This is it, this is college.” Then it hits you a few hours later when your parents aren’t there to put everything away or make you food when you're hungry, that you actually have to be “an adult.” You are all alone and have to actually do things for yourself. I know what you are thinking during that first panic attack when it is time to do laundry and you don't know what clothes get washed in warm water or cold water or even, “will this shrink?” We all go through these things it just takes some time. Especially all of us out-of-state kids that also have to get used to a new place where you don't know one single person except your smelly new roommate.
Go out there and meet new people.
I know it seems scary, walking around and seeing all these college students with tons of friends already, but just go talk to them. Knock on your next door neighbor's door or ask to sit with that group in the cafeteria that you saw walking around earlier.
It’s okay to be scared.
You are in a new place with a lot of new people. It’s going to be intimidating but I promise it will get better.
You will get homesick, just take a deep breath.
I know that feeling of wanting to go home or thinking to yourself, “Did I make the right decision?” You see all your friends back home hanging out and you are so jealous or you see all your college friends going home on the weekends and know you can’t do that. Take a deep breath and realize moving away is hard and it will take time to adjust to new surroundings and a new lifestyle. But it'll be worth it in the long haul.
Get involved.
Sitting in your dorm room will only make things worse, go out there and get involved in something. Join a group on campus, play an intramural sport or even get involved with theatre. The more you spend out of your room, the greater chance you have of making friends.
It’s okay to call your parents….and cry!
Your parents miss you and I know you miss your parents. Our parents are going through their own transition too! Check in with them and let them know how things are going, and be honest about it don't sugar coat it! Tell them you love them every chance you get. We all do it so don't be embarrassed. Also, if you need to cry, you cry. Everyone cries, and it’s going to happen at some point in your freshman year or all the time.
Have pride in your home state.
You will get crap from everyone about your home state and home sports teams, but own it. Wear that football jersey or T-shirt with pride and just laugh at them all. Be proud of where you are from, deep down all those in-state kids are jealous that you came from somewhere awesome.
Freshman year is the hardest, then it’s smooth sailing.
Freshman year is a transition year and a year of learning in many ways. Once you finish Freshman year you will know what to expect for coming years. You will have friends, your roommate, you'll know where your classes are, and where you fit in. Just get through those first two semesters and then the rest of college will be a breeze.
Being out of state definitely has its disadvantages, but it just means you have a home away from home, and you're so much stronger for going through that transition. Your college career will grow with you and shape you into a better you. Enjoy it because it will go by in a blink of an eye.
