I am so scared to go to college!?

Question

I move into the dorms on Friday. I am freaking out! I will be an hour away from home, so it's not that bad, but I am nervous about the classes, and getting from building to building. I only have 15 minutes in between two of my classes. I don't know what I will do.

I am also scared to be on my own. I never have been before. How do you deal with this big of an adjustment? I've never been without my mom and dad before, and I don't feel ready. :(

Help?

Answer 1

It's natural to be nervous, it's a huge turning point in your life. I'm in my 4th year of college now and I will tell you I was terrified when I first started, had all the same worries you did. The best thing to do is realize that you're probably picturing things a lot worse than they really are.

After you get settled on Friday, go explore the campus. See where all your classes are located, get a feel for where you're going, see where all the hangouts are. Don't worry about asking for help, a lot of new students are going to be wondering around unsure of where their going or what their doing. You won't be alone! People are ten times more friendly then they were in  high school and older students esp are more than willing to help because they remember what it was like to be in your shoes!

Classes aren't that bad, they are actually pretty fun. As long as you pay attention and do what's expected of you, you'll be fine! There is lots of discussions, the professors have so much knowledge their ready to share, and everyone is there to learn.

As for being on your own, it might be scary the first couple weeks, but once you start making friends and get to know people in your dorms and in your classrooms, it'll be so much better! Your parents are only one phone call away and your only an hour away, so they are there if you need to talk or feel scared!

Just remember, it's natural, and it is a huge but wonderful experience. Everyone gets scared/nervous, has doubts before going away to college, but you won't regret it! :)

Answer 2

Relax, your going to be fine.  Everyone goes through that oops,  almost everyone.  Get a map of the campus and study it so that you know where all your classes are.  Then take a walk.  Meet other students and don't be afraid to ask for help.  The best time of my life was on campus.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Nobody feels ready.  You are doing the right thing by going to college and living away.  You are only 1 hour away, so you can go home on the weekend.  Tell your parents how you are feeling, and tell them you might want to come home every other weekend or so.  

College is the one time you have a chance to live away from home with people your own age.  Everyone is in the same boat.  There will be a lot of friends for you to meet, just because you are all doing the same thing, are the same age, and in the same place.  

Here is one thing to know- every single kid I know who has gone to college has hated it at the beginning.  Even independent kids call their Mom at least once a day with a question about something, or just to talk for a minute.  The first two weeks are the hardest, then it will get easier.  Give yourself until the end of October to really assess the situation.  You'll feel better about it all by then.  

It is hard to leave home, but it is part of growing up.  Don't stay home for this year.  You will find that all of your friends have gone away, and when you all get together at Christmas, there will be a difference in how everyone has grown up.  If you don't go away to school, you are really loosing out on a big chance to grow as a person.  

Answer 4

I felt nervous too on my first day. What you can do is, go visit the college again before classes start. Its pretty empty in between sessions. Walk around and find the location of all your classes, so you know where you are going. Just to get to know it alittle better. You'll make friends I'm sure. Its not like highschool. People are alot more friendlier and not as cliquey. I usually end up making friends with the person I sit next to in class. Don't worry, it'll be fine :-) It's pretty chill

Answer 5

15 minutes should be plenty of time. You wont feel ready, but once you get there it will be better than you though. Classes are fun, people are fun, and dorms are a great experience. What your feeling it totally normal, college is an experience you need, it helps you grow more than you can ever imagine.

Answer 6

Class of 2010

Well I'm not in college but I plan to be soon. I also want to stay in dorms and become more independence ( although the university I choose is only 10 minutes from my house.) I think you should probably go into college with confidence, knowing why your going into college ( like future job etc... ) and be happy you can finally be independent like your parents were.  

Answer 7

It's a big change as you've already said. Everybody gets like this whenever they do something they've never done before. It's going to be hard to relax, but just relax. Find something to keep your mind off of moving for now.

Also 15 minutes should be plenty of time to get from class to class. Even if they're on completely different sides of the campus.

Answer 8

When the college plans out the times of classes, the school looks at how far people may possibly have to go- taking into consideration the worst-case scenario (one side of campus to the other). Then they figure the average time... so 15 minutes will probably be enough. Is there any kind of shuttle that runs through campus that would move you along quicker? You'll also be surprised how much exercise you get just running around campus- i didn't gain any "freshman 15" but it found me once I left college for the cubicle!

Also, if you explain the situation to your professor in advance (I just wanted to apologize in advance if i'm ever late, i'm coming from the XYZ Building) they'll probably understand. It's not high school. Sometimes, professors have to come from across campus too. i used to know i was running on schedule if I saw the professor running across the other side of the quad from me.

I graduated a year ago and felt the same nerves EVERY time i went back to school... after christmas break, after the summer, even spring break. Its just a change you have to adjust to. And i've also noticed that the kids who cry the hardest when their parents drop them off at the beginning of the year are the ones who cry the hardest when they have to go home for the summer. (me included). Don't be afraid to go home on weekends if that's what it takes to get you through. I spent four years living on campus, and I never once spent an entire weekend there. After two days at home, I was ready to be on my own again, and after four or five days at school, i needed my space.

relax. these are the best days of your life. you'll miss them when they're gone, and please don't wish them away- the real world is no where near as much fun.