Going to College – 7 Ways To Make the Transition Easier

Even if you’re not good at sticking to a study schedule, it’s important to have time that you know will be free for you to use in your own way.

This free time could include calling your friends and family back home, going for a walk, or watching an episode (or three) of your favorite show on Netflix.

Being away from home can be difficult, but it helps to have something that can connect you back to home whenever you feel the need. Whether it be a picture or a stuffed animal, a blanket, or a bracelet, having a physical item that you can touch can be very comforting.

If you’re feeling homesick, it’s important to remember that there is nothing wrong with calling a loved one back home.

Some people may feel like it will hurt their ability to be independent, but it can be beneficial (especially in your first few years) to reach out to your support system back home.

Colleges bring together a diverse group of individuals with different backgrounds, interests, and histories. You’ll likely meet a lot of people you would never have had a chance to meet otherwise.

Reaching out to your classmates, or others on your dorm floor opens not only opportunities for friendships at school, but also a diverse network that you’ll be able to reach out to for years to come.

Everybody needs a different organizational structure to ensure that they don’t forget about an assignment or a class reading.

For some people they might need a physical calendar on the wall to write their assignments on, others may need a planner, still, others utilize sticky notes, cell phone alarms, or color-coded notes.

Going to college offers a lot of freedom, often including being in charge of your own money (with no one to guilt you into putting most of it into savings), maybe for the first time ever.

It can be helpful to have a budgeting plan in place as you come to college (or shortly after arriving) so you don’t need to stress about finances when the academic year (or maybe just the week) is a little bit too long for your bank account.

College can be a life-altering experience for some, and it’s important to remember that the learning doesn’t have to stop after your assigned classes do.

College gives you a chance to explore what it’s like to live on your own, meet new people, and become an involved member of society.

You may be the kind of person who retreats typically back to their room after classes, but always remember that your campus, your community, and the world spans far beyond those four walls, and they’ll always be there when you’re ready to come out.