Moving Up

By Katherine

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After twelve grades of school, many find themselves applying to colleges with hopes of pursuing a higher education. But college is a big step. Some move out of state or even out of the country and even those who remain in state find themselves in a completely different environment from what they are used to.

So how do you prepare for living on campus where you are around so many people?

​How do you deal with having more control over your education? 

While this is an exciting time, it can also be quite intimidating and stressful.
    
College offers significantly more freedom and opportunities than high school and gives students the opportunity to pursue a specific area of study that interests them. College campuses are also much larger than high school buildings, with more people, places, and things to do. Although college can seem intimidating with everything being so new, it’s a great opportunity to build lasting bonds and further your education.
    
I found myself being extremely anxious before moving into a dorm. I barely knew anyone at the university and I was going to be around so many new people. After I moved in, I got to know the people in my hall. Everyone seemed to be in the same position as me: just wanting to make friends. The people who attend college want to be there and I was shocked to see just how different college students are from high school students. Within a few days of moving in I had already made a number of friends with some of the kindest people that I have ever met.
    
It’s best to not hide away in your dorm after moving in, it can be difficult to make conversations with people but by giving someone a compliment or getting to know the people in your hall and/or those with the same major as you, you can create new friendships. It’s also important to get involved; by joining a club you can meet people who have similar interests as you. College is a time to step out of your shell and further discover who you are as an individual. With there being so many different types of people in college, it will be much easier to connect with people than in high school.
    
As with any big change, college can be a stressful time as students try to navigate through campus, meet new people, and organize their schedules. College also offers students the opportunity to be the person they want to become and meet a larger variety of people. Study what interests you and if you’re not sure what interests you, you’re in the same boat as many others. College is a great time to try new things and further understand yourself as well as the people around you.