Going away to college involves a variety of emotions. It can be exciting, nerve-wracking and scary all at the same time. Because of the culmination of all these feelings and experiences, here are a few tips on how to cope with living away from home for the first time.
Eating Habits
According to those at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, www.lehigh.edu, one suggestion is to make sure you keep your eating habits in check. It is very easy to forego the fruits and vegetables for macaroni and cheese or mystery meat. Most students have heard of the dreaded 'Freshman 15.' Weight gain or illness may occur, especially when a student is experiencing the stress of a changing academic and living environment. Make sure you take care of yourself physically, which means following proper nutrition and getting regular exercise.
Friends
Take the time to make friends. When you move away to college, it is easy to get into a funk and become slightly depressed because your old friends are no longer around. Take advantage of this otherwise sour situation. Almost everyone else in your dormitory or apartment complex is experiencing the same thing, so be the brave one and go out to meet people. Invite your neighbor or roommate down to dinner at the dining hall or offer to walk to class with someone new on your floor. Branching out will help you to effectively cope with moving away from home to go to college.
Clubs, Sports and Special Interests Groups
Become involved with your new school. Expanding socially may help you to beat the freshman blues of moving away from home. Most campuses have clubs, recreational sports and special interest groups. More than likely, there is just about something for everyone, so take the time to find something that may fit you. This is also a good opportunity to meet other people at your school who may share similar interests with you.
Home
Go home now and then. There is nothing wrong with feeling a tinge of homesickness and indulging those feelings by going home to visit family and friends. As long as you do not abuse the privilege and go home all the time, this may be a remedy to mend your heart until you become fully adjusted to college life.
Remember that moving away from home is a major step into adulthood. Keeping these tips in mind may help you to cope with moving away from home to go to college, but keep in mind that living on your own should be a fun and exciting experience. Make the most of this independent and thrilling time of your life.
