2 answers
Carlee
Student
Mount Morris, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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What should I be prepared for going into college in 2026 How should one balance the new found independence and keep on top of being an adult? #Fall2025 ?
I am a senior who's been accepted into all of her dream schools. I've always been a homebody so being free to do whatever, whenever, will definitely be different.
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1186
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Carlee!
First, congratulations on getting into your dream schools. That’s a huge win and a great start to your next chapter.
You're right, college is a major change, but it's also exciting as well. The independence is the largest change, not only the task. All of a sudden, you'll be able to manage your time, energy, and decisions in ways you haven't before. It may be overwhelming and empowering at the same time.
Structure is an excellent place to start. Setting a few anchors throughout your week, such as defined study blocks, gym time, or a Sunday reset, helps you stay grounded even though you don't need a strict timetable. See it as a way to add some rhythm to your freedom.
Additionally, you should start with small support systems. Make connections with your professors, academic advisors, or resident assistants to keep focused as well as to solve problems. They may make campus life feel more personal and friendly and are used to assisting students in their transition.
Don't overcorrect by trying to "adult" completely right immediately for balance. Making mistakes, such as missing a deadline, sleeping too much, or forgetting to budget, is a necessary part of being independent. Thinking things through, adapting, and continuing to show up are key.
Create moments of comfort at school, such as familiar music, a comfortable study area, or weekly calls home, as you are a homebody. You can handle the emotional strain of being gone due to such consistency.
Adulthood is not something you have to learn in a single semester. All you need to do is keep practicing it out of curiosity rather than pressure.
Best wishes!
First, congratulations on getting into your dream schools. That’s a huge win and a great start to your next chapter.
You're right, college is a major change, but it's also exciting as well. The independence is the largest change, not only the task. All of a sudden, you'll be able to manage your time, energy, and decisions in ways you haven't before. It may be overwhelming and empowering at the same time.
Structure is an excellent place to start. Setting a few anchors throughout your week, such as defined study blocks, gym time, or a Sunday reset, helps you stay grounded even though you don't need a strict timetable. See it as a way to add some rhythm to your freedom.
Additionally, you should start with small support systems. Make connections with your professors, academic advisors, or resident assistants to keep focused as well as to solve problems. They may make campus life feel more personal and friendly and are used to assisting students in their transition.
Don't overcorrect by trying to "adult" completely right immediately for balance. Making mistakes, such as missing a deadline, sleeping too much, or forgetting to budget, is a necessary part of being independent. Thinking things through, adapting, and continuing to show up are key.
Create moments of comfort at school, such as familiar music, a comfortable study area, or weekly calls home, as you are a homebody. You can handle the emotional strain of being gone due to such consistency.
Adulthood is not something you have to learn in a single semester. All you need to do is keep practicing it out of curiosity rather than pressure.
Best wishes!
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Carlee !
This is an outstanding question ! I like what you've written !
People may not realize this, but because you have been a homebody, someone who for some part of there teen years didn't associate with peers much, it can provide a special kind of personal growth to a person. It can give a person time to obtain knowledge by reading, developing their writing skills, thinking about their future and adulthood and interacting with different generations, people of various ages like family members and family friends of all ages. My advice: you have already prepared wonderfully for independent college life !
Congratulations on being accepted to all of your dream colleges ! That is awesome !
When you start college, there will be some different personal growth, but you will keep all of your good qualities. You will still know how to use discernment, wisdom and you will maintain your sense of responsibility. That won't change. You will be with different peers in college and they will seem more like minded, more adult and your social activity may increase. Being a homebody may have instilled leadership qualities in you due to the independence it provides. At college, I believe that you will still make sound, ethical choices that stay true to your values.
You can also expect to learn more about yourself due to the diverse interactions and variety of people you will be around. You maybe can expect to make lifelong friends through college. In that respect, you can expect to have a lot of support from both peers and various staff and services at college.
I remember that one of the things I liked once I got my own apartment in my Junior year and had no roommates, I liked doing my homework and having the freedom to write papers at 2:00 in the morning if I had to. Just because you will be free of parental rules doesn't mean that you will be doing negative or non-beneficial things, it just means that you'll be in charge of your own schedule with no interference. You can sleep, eat or socialize whenever you want.
You will be setting new priorities for yourself. What comes first, writing that Psychology term paper or going white water rafting with my friends ? You'll want to do well in college and your value system that you've already established will accomplish that.
There will always be time for fun, but pick your fun wisely. It's not high school and peer pressure is a thing of the past in college (if you go to the right college, I guess). These are just some thoughts your post inspired in me, but all in all, try not to anticipate anything, make good choices and build on the great qualities you already have.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !
This is an outstanding question ! I like what you've written !
People may not realize this, but because you have been a homebody, someone who for some part of there teen years didn't associate with peers much, it can provide a special kind of personal growth to a person. It can give a person time to obtain knowledge by reading, developing their writing skills, thinking about their future and adulthood and interacting with different generations, people of various ages like family members and family friends of all ages. My advice: you have already prepared wonderfully for independent college life !
Congratulations on being accepted to all of your dream colleges ! That is awesome !
When you start college, there will be some different personal growth, but you will keep all of your good qualities. You will still know how to use discernment, wisdom and you will maintain your sense of responsibility. That won't change. You will be with different peers in college and they will seem more like minded, more adult and your social activity may increase. Being a homebody may have instilled leadership qualities in you due to the independence it provides. At college, I believe that you will still make sound, ethical choices that stay true to your values.
You can also expect to learn more about yourself due to the diverse interactions and variety of people you will be around. You maybe can expect to make lifelong friends through college. In that respect, you can expect to have a lot of support from both peers and various staff and services at college.
I remember that one of the things I liked once I got my own apartment in my Junior year and had no roommates, I liked doing my homework and having the freedom to write papers at 2:00 in the morning if I had to. Just because you will be free of parental rules doesn't mean that you will be doing negative or non-beneficial things, it just means that you'll be in charge of your own schedule with no interference. You can sleep, eat or socialize whenever you want.
You will be setting new priorities for yourself. What comes first, writing that Psychology term paper or going white water rafting with my friends ? You'll want to do well in college and your value system that you've already established will accomplish that.
There will always be time for fun, but pick your fun wisely. It's not high school and peer pressure is a thing of the past in college (if you go to the right college, I guess). These are just some thoughts your post inspired in me, but all in all, try not to anticipate anything, make good choices and build on the great qualities you already have.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !