Incoming College Freshman: You are not alone.

If you are an incoming college freshman, I promise that this post will make you feel a lot better. This was one of my first blog posts and I wrote it right before my freshman year of college.

Looking back on this post after just finishing my freshman year, everything is 100% true and the point of view is perfect because I wrote it when I was in your shoes.

I hope that it makes you feel a little bit better and less alone. You’re going to do amazing in college!

Wait! When did I become an incoming college student?!

Okay, take a deep breath before I tell you this… Hannah Montana and High School Musical first aired in 2006, so many years ago! I know that’s INSANE, like where did our childhood go!?

If you are my age and about to be a freshman in college I’m sure you know exactly how I feel. Confused how we got to this point, yet super excited to start this new phase in life!

I know college tips and tricks are super popular now but I don’t have any of my own yet so I can’t write about that. I thought to myself there has to be so many others out there that are feeling the same way I’m feeling so I have decided to write about it.

This is how I am feeling now, can anyone relate?

Present Day Emily: This part of the post might make you more stressed haha but please keep reading, it gets better!! Okay, everything below is past Emily from a year ago writing, lol.

I have 14 days left before I move in, leaving my home, my family, my dog Zoe and my cozy full-size bed. All of my friends are going to move into their schools in different states and my best friends, Gillian and Brynley have to stay at home for their senior year without me. 🙁

I feel like the world as I know it is off balance and is pulling me in this new direction. If you feel this way too, then that’s good because it means I’m not alone and that we are in this together.

It’s hard to imagine life with all new friends and it’s hard to imagine my friends with brand new friends.

I keep thinking about that moment I say bye to my parents and won’t see them again for a couple of months (I’m going to start crying so hard). I also keep thinking about that first night in my dorm room with my roommates who were strangers hours before…

I’ll be in a new bed, in a new state, with my family 2 hours away from me. I really don’t know how I will feel but clearly I have a lot of anxiety built up around this. I’m writing about it because I know I can’t be the only one feeling like this.

It’s going to be okay!

It’s okay though because this blog is all about turning stressful and difficult things into (I bet you’ve already guessed it, positivity). Here are some ways that we can be positive and start this new phase in our lives smoothly.

1. Remember, everyone going into college is scared too and has the same fears you do.

Everyone is going to have trouble saying goodbye to their parents, sleeping that first night of college, making new friends and adjusting to the new atmosphere.

Although it may seem scary and lonely at first you will have your roommate/s, friends, etc. and can help each other get through it.

2. Believe in the strength of your friendships now.

Your friendships will only change if you let them change. Stay in touch and get together during breaks and holidays! (My friends and I already have a Friends-giving planned.)

3. Your friends can come to visit.

If you have friends like me staying in high school remember that they can always come to visit. You will also see them on breaks!

Present-Day Emily: If your school isn’t allowing visitors due to the virus, don’t worry! Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here a lot sooner than you think, I promise.

4. FaceTime exists!

It’s so much easier to stay in touch with others than it was for our parents too. If you have friends going far away try to schedule weekly FaceTime calls as a way to keep in touch.

You can also use FaceTime to keep in touch with your family and remind them you are thinking of them and miss them.

5. It’s okay to be away from your close friends.

You may be separated from many of your friends but you have this wonderful opportunity to make new friends.

You are not replacing your old friends and they are not going to replace you! They are special and unique to you just like you are to them.

Don’t be afraid to make new friends. Everyone will be trying to as well so it’s as perfect a time as any!

I hope this post reminds you that you are not alone in feeling 100 different emotions about leaving for college and that I feel the exact same way!

I also hope that these tips help you and me as we conquer college. If you have any thoughts, comments, concerns, or just want to talk about how you are feeling about going into college please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you!

Check out this post on 15 online school tips that you will love!

10 Shocking Things About Freshman Year You Need To Know!