So you are leaving town in a few weeks or, if you are like me, just a number of days. I don’t know about everyone else, but the shrinking days before I move out bring me a great deal of stress. From work, to trying to see my friends and spend time with my family, to packing up all of my things and being ready to go—my mind goes on overload mode! Thus, there are a few ways to make a smoother transition to college from home (note the use of smoother rather than smooth).
FIRST, make a packing list of things you need and another of things you can, or will, buy when you get to campus. There are many stores that you can get supplies and things at once you are on campus (Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Walmart, Macys, etc.) Once you have made your list(s) gradually start packing away the things on the list. No need to go gung-ho packing and do it all in one day—that is simply a recipe for stress on both your end and your parents’ end. I have been packing things away for roughly two weeks, and some of the things I brought from school never even left their boxes. Just a few more days of slow packing and I’ll be set to go (practically) stress free! (below is a very small picture of the list(s) I have made)
SECOND, decide which of your friends you really want/need to see. Is there someone you have barely seen all summer? Find out if you can go grab coffee or hang out for a little while (video games? Gossip? Workout buddy?) The best method to reduce the “OMG there are SO many people I need to see!” stress is to not spend every day going to meet four different people at four different times. Trust me, your brain will thank you if you stick to one or two meet-ups every other day or so.
THIRD, your family (parents or guardians especially) may not show it, but they want to spend time with you before you venture off to school to make new friends, find yourself, and have a blast. Family is, in my opinion, the key ingredient to a healthy transition to college. It does not matter what you definition of “family” is—it could be two dogs and your second cousin five times removed—family is who you fall back on. Spend some quality time with your family in the few days before you leave and don’t forget to let them know that you will, in fact, miss them amidst all the fun you will be having. Also be sure to have a good talk about how often they are allowed to call you. This is key: I know a number of people whose parents contact them daily and they are fine with it, and others who would rather only hear from them every few days, or even every other week.
LAST, get excited! You are about to go to (or back to) a seriously great place for school. Get psyched to make new friends or be reunited with old friends, I know I am!
There is my advice for today. If you want more info on packing for a dorm (rather than my apartment list) click here, and if you want some more tips of de-stressing, I have another blog you can check out here.
Keep Calm and Live On
Hasta Luego--see you next blog,
Claire
