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As I prepare enter college next year, how do I ensure I will be okay on my own and going so far away from home (I'm literally going from CA to DC! and will be so far from home)
I had not imagined that I would got to college on the East Coast! I am a California girl. But the circumstances changed for me. While I am happy about the college I am going to, I am also frighted that it is so far from home.
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Christopher’s Answer
I want you to know that what you're feeling is completely normal. Moving from California to Washington, DC is a big change, and it's common to feel a mix of excitement, nervousness, and homesickness.
As a father of seven, I've seen all my kids head off to college, each handling the change in their own way. Some settled in quickly, while others found it harder. Feeling homesick doesn't mean you made a mistake; it just shows you care about the people and places you're leaving behind.
For those who found it tough, I always said to give it time. The first days and weeks can feel overwhelming with new classes, roommates, schedules, and a different city. You might wonder if you fit in, but as you settle into routines and meet people, college starts to feel more like a second home.
Getting involved can really help, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Join clubs, go to events, join study groups, and talk to people in your dorm and classes. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be hard, especially when you miss home, but that's often where friendships start. Remember, many students feel the same way and are looking to make friends too.
It's also important to keep in touch with family and friends back home. Call, text, or video chat when you need to, but don't spend all your time focused on home. Allow yourself to get involved in your new community and enjoy the opportunities there.
Confidence doesn't come from knowing everything will be okay. It comes from trusting you can handle challenges as they come. You don't need to have everything figured out right away. You'll learn and grow over time. Some of the biggest personal growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone. Moving across the country might feel scary now, but it will bring you new experiences and friendships you might not have had if you stayed close to home.
You got into that college because they believe you can succeed there. Give yourself the same chance. Be patient, stay open to new experiences, and remember that feeling homesick is normal. In time, you'll find that what feels strange today will become a place full of memories, friendships, and opportunities you'll treasure forever.
As a father of seven, I've seen all my kids head off to college, each handling the change in their own way. Some settled in quickly, while others found it harder. Feeling homesick doesn't mean you made a mistake; it just shows you care about the people and places you're leaving behind.
For those who found it tough, I always said to give it time. The first days and weeks can feel overwhelming with new classes, roommates, schedules, and a different city. You might wonder if you fit in, but as you settle into routines and meet people, college starts to feel more like a second home.
Getting involved can really help, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Join clubs, go to events, join study groups, and talk to people in your dorm and classes. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be hard, especially when you miss home, but that's often where friendships start. Remember, many students feel the same way and are looking to make friends too.
It's also important to keep in touch with family and friends back home. Call, text, or video chat when you need to, but don't spend all your time focused on home. Allow yourself to get involved in your new community and enjoy the opportunities there.
Confidence doesn't come from knowing everything will be okay. It comes from trusting you can handle challenges as they come. You don't need to have everything figured out right away. You'll learn and grow over time. Some of the biggest personal growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone. Moving across the country might feel scary now, but it will bring you new experiences and friendships you might not have had if you stayed close to home.
You got into that college because they believe you can succeed there. Give yourself the same chance. Be patient, stay open to new experiences, and remember that feeling homesick is normal. In time, you'll find that what feels strange today will become a place full of memories, friendships, and opportunities you'll treasure forever.
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Jing’s Answer
Hi Azari,
Thank you for raising questions here.
It's very common to worry about unknow especially in new environment alone, but don't be too frightened and you can plan something from now on for your college.
1. Although it will be far away from home, you still can have active communication with your parents and friend, video call help you feel close even you will be located in different states. You must feel lonely at the beginning because you need to treat all by yourself, share your little things with your parents regularly might be daily, let them know how do you spend a day and you and your parents still can treat problem together, they still stay with you.
2. You are frightened now because you already foresee there there will be a big change in college, this is a good starting, then what you need to do is to set a proper expectation: new environment, new people, so you might face some problems in college life especially at the very beginning, not everything is perfect. With this expectation, you can hold on and feel okay when some challenges or problems comes to you, you will understand what need to do is to take time to adapt, and this is the journey everyone must take ourselves.
3. You can plan how to adapt the college life quickly, what kind of college life you will experience depends on how do you want to live in college. Be far away from parents means you need to treat all alone, in the meanwhile it also means you can live more independently, freely, college is a safer place can provide you more opportunity, other than academic, you can also participate/take Club, interest activities, Sports, Part-time Jobs, Internships, Volunteers, there are also city trips, travels, parties etc. social life and it's good period to develop your skills. Totally speaking, you can arrange your life yourself depends on your needs, willing, idea.
Don't worry too much, new journey means new challenge but new opportunities in parallel. Best wishes to you.
Thank you for raising questions here.
It's very common to worry about unknow especially in new environment alone, but don't be too frightened and you can plan something from now on for your college.
1. Although it will be far away from home, you still can have active communication with your parents and friend, video call help you feel close even you will be located in different states. You must feel lonely at the beginning because you need to treat all by yourself, share your little things with your parents regularly might be daily, let them know how do you spend a day and you and your parents still can treat problem together, they still stay with you.
2. You are frightened now because you already foresee there there will be a big change in college, this is a good starting, then what you need to do is to set a proper expectation: new environment, new people, so you might face some problems in college life especially at the very beginning, not everything is perfect. With this expectation, you can hold on and feel okay when some challenges or problems comes to you, you will understand what need to do is to take time to adapt, and this is the journey everyone must take ourselves.
3. You can plan how to adapt the college life quickly, what kind of college life you will experience depends on how do you want to live in college. Be far away from parents means you need to treat all alone, in the meanwhile it also means you can live more independently, freely, college is a safer place can provide you more opportunity, other than academic, you can also participate/take Club, interest activities, Sports, Part-time Jobs, Internships, Volunteers, there are also city trips, travels, parties etc. social life and it's good period to develop your skills. Totally speaking, you can arrange your life yourself depends on your needs, willing, idea.
Don't worry too much, new journey means new challenge but new opportunities in parallel. Best wishes to you.