By: Caroline Mezzalingua
If you’re someone in a new physical, emotional, and mental place– it’s NORMAL to feel uncomfortable! In fact, It would be concerning if you didn’t feel a little out of order. Having made it to the midterm, I wanted to share what’s worked for me so far being a freshman in college!
Say Yes!
This is a HUGE part of starting in a new place. You’re leaving your friends, family, and home, so you must be open to welcoming any opportunities! Say yes. Say yes to going out the first week with people you don’t know too well- that’s how you will get closer to people! Say yes to that club you’ve always been interested in! Say yes to these new opportunities, you will never have this many opportunities thrown at you just waiting to be taken advantage of!
Your Room is Your Sanctuary
I don't know about all of you, but my room was my favorite part of my house. You want your dorm room to feel like home, so decorate it with all the things that make it so! I always opt for fun colored lights, or even this sunset lamp for those stubborn winters!
Give it Time
This is my most favorite piece of advice because of its application to every situation. With classes, campus, homesickness, and most importantly, friends, you must, must, MUST give it time! Nothing good happens overnight, nor should it! For true friendships and connections to your new surroundings to exist, you have to go through those uncomfortable stages. With friends especially, make sure you give them time! It can be easy to judge new people to your old home friends, and believe me, that’s natural, but you have to give everyone a chance and not be too quick to judge. It’s easy to hold high expectations for friends, and that is good to have, but don’t let that impede your ability to truly connect with someone. Take a peek at this guide for navigating female friendships!
Romanticize Your Life
Whether that's perfecting your morning routine, or making the most aesthetic iced latte, romanticizing your life is the best way to ease into a new environment. It’s quite easy to fixate on the negatives in a new environment, especially if it’s not all going according to plan, but scrolling on Pinterest, curating the cutest outfits, and pretending you’re Elle Woods all can help you see the potential of your situation.
College isn’t easy, but you know yourself! Do what you know helps you feel better, take time for yourself amid the social craziness, call home, and trust in the process! It will all work out!
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