Countdown to College: It’s (Almost) Here!

August 31, 2009 4:00 pm     Posted in Back to School, Reality  Marisa - Wesleyan University g+ page

starting college copyIn a couple of days, I will be leaving for college for the first time. No big deal, right?


By Marisa

Try telling that to my wobbly knees and trembling hands.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m totally excited about going to college. But, at the same time, I’m nervous as hell. My type A personality is rearing its ugly head in the form of innumerable “what ifs” and “holy sh*ts.” While most of my friends have been counting down the days with New Year’s Eve-esque anticipation, I’ve put a 24-hour ban on talking about college in my house and can hardly look at my suitcase without having a mini-freak out.

For me, it’s a combination of doubts, fears, and just plain nostalgia. Going to college is a huge deal for me, perhaps more so than it is for many of my peers. It’s my first time being away from home for longer than a five week stretch, and since I’m generally a homebody and have a very close relationship with my family, the idea of going from seeing them every day to seeing them once every few weeks is hard to deal with. Plus, I have the general anxieties that I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling: coping with the workload and stress, making new friends, living on my own.

That being said, I’m also very excited for the new opportunities ahead of me. I know that, once I get settled in, I’ll find my niche and have the best four years of my life. It may take a couple of weeks, but I’ll find my place eventually.

Do you current college students and grads have any advice for an anxious prefrosh?

5 Comments on "Countdown to College: It’s (Almost) Here!"

  1. Lee says:
    Mon, 31st Aug 200911:45 am 

    Don't be nervous! Try learning more about yourself and how you function in life and then you might be more relaxed and ready to deal with the things college life throws at you.

    A good personality test is http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp. It's not jst A and B typology. So its pretty accurate and will tell you a lot about how you should study and plan you life so you WON'T freak out in the future.

    Good Luck!

  2. wesleyan! says:
    Mon, 31st Aug 200912:36 pm 

    hi marisa!

    as a senior at wesleyan, i just wanted to say welcome to wes! it's a wonderful place full of incredibly fun and interesting people and amazing opportunities. just make sure that you try to take advantage of as much as you can, and take every opportunity to put yourself out there. i also wholeheartedly agree with the suggestion to leave your door open as often as possible. it's a great way to meet people in the dorms.

    overall, take a deep breath, don't stress, and have fun! i hope that you really enjoy orientation and feel right at home at wes! welcome!

  3. Stephanie PTY says:
    Mon, 31st Aug 20094:33 pm 

    You’ll be fine! Just remember to prop your door open whenever you’re just hanging out in your dorm room. That’s how I met a lot of people from my freshman dorm, several of whom I’m still good friends with five years later. All of the other freshmen will be as confused as you are, so take comfort and use safety in numbers. Alone, you’re lost – but together… you’re just as lost. But not lonely! :)

  4. Alicia says:
    Mon, 31st Aug 20095:40 pm 

    I just moved to UNCC and I had a lot of the same fears you had: being away from famil, hard work, new friends and the whole nine. But trust me, you will love the new freedom of being on your own and being able to control your pathway in life. It may be hard the first week – it was for me to a certain degree – but don’t be nervous. Its a new phase in your life, something that you will look back on when you get older and be proud of. I agree about the propping the door open; I’ve met alot of cool people in my hall this way. Remember that a lot of people are feeling the same way you do, me included; we’re (freshman) all new to this!

    -Alicia <3

  5. Sara says:
    Mon, 31st Aug 20098:26 pm 

    I was the exact same way when I left for my freshman year (I'm a senior now!!). I think it took me a good 45 minutes of sobbing in my sister's arms and hugging everything in my house before we could leave. And then I cried for another hour in the car. And then some more when I got to school…and again when my parents left. BUT once my parents left I propped my door open and met all of my neighbors, and they really helped me get through my anxieties. It might seem hard at first, but once you calm down and aren't holding onto your parents' legs as they leave, you'll be great!

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