The first day of college might be right around the corner. And while you’re excited to exert your independence and leave your parents behind, you may have a few pre-college jitters. If you're attending school in a different state or city, you might be on the verge of a panic attack as you imagine yourself in the world alone. Fortunately, nervousness and anxiety doesn’t have to get the best of you. Here's a look at seven ways to confront pre-college anxieties.
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1. Realize Everyone's in the Same Situation
You're not the only freshman going away to college this fall. Understand that everyone's in the same situation and most college students feel the same way as you. For many young adults, this is their first time away from their parents. Additionally, they’re away from the people they've gone to school with for the past four years.
2. Take Comfort in Knowing It's Only Temporary
The days leading up until your first day on campus might be nerve-racking and you might even second-guess the decision to go away to school. Not only should you realize that most college freshman feel the same way, you should also realize that anxiety is only temporary. As soon as you get on campus and learn your way around and meet new people, you'll come to appreciate the experience.
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3. Take a Tour of the Campus Beforehand
If you have an opportunity, take a trip and tour the college campus beforehand. A few days before classes start, most colleges have an orientation for freshman and other new students, such as those who transfer from other universities. If you’re able to, make a trip to the campus sooner. This gives you more time to familiarize yourself with the student union and the buildings, and you can learn your way around town.
4. Speak with Your Roommate
Before arriving on campus, the college might give you the name and contact information of your roommate. Reach out to this person via phone or social media. If you speak with this person beforehand and build a rapport, you’ll reduce some of you nervousness and feel more comfortable.
5. Talk about Your Feelings
There’s no shame in admitting that you're scared and nervous to embark on a new journey in your life. Speak with your parents about your feelings, as well as some of your high school buddies to see how they're coping with the anxiety. They might offer helpful tips to help you better prepare for this transition.
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6. Learn Skills for Living on Your Own
Part of your nervousness might come from the fact that you don't have experience living on your own. If you've never paid a bill or done your own laundry, you might wonder how you’ll manage without mom and dad. Before leaving home, learn useful skills like budgeting money, cooking, doing laundry, etc.
7. Don’t Be Negative
Rather than spend the next couple of weeks worrying about what could possibly go wrong, focus on what will go right. Your first year away from home will have its challenges, but it’s nothing you can't handle. Maintain a positive attitude and stop thinking about the worst-case scenario.
Although you can’t always control how you feel, pre-college jitters don’t have to consume your every thought. This is an exciting time in your life. In a year from now you’ll look back on this experience and wonder why you were ever nervous.
What are other tips to help you confront your anxieties about going to college?
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