8 Tips For A Smooth Transition To College Life

The changes involved in leaving home for college can be demanding, stressful and lead to varying emotions.

Here are 8 things you can do to help yourself make the adjustment to this exciting journey! 

1.     Embrace the change

Look for the positives in this change and be friend it! Change can be scary, but it allows us to move forward in life and experience new and exciting things!

2.     Make small goals for yourself

Ask yourself what’s important to you right now and make a priority list. For example:

1) Making my dorm room feel homey 2) Getting to know the campus 3) Finding ways to make friends.

3.     Manage your time effectively

Make an ideal schedule balancing coursework, personal time, and extracurricular activities. Consistency is key here! Need a little extra help? Tools such as phone alarms, your phone calendar reminders or a physical planner can be really helpful!

4.     Join campus organizations and clubs that appeal to you

These activities can help you to meet and interact with others who share similar interests and/or may also be looking to meet new people.

5)    Make an extra effort to take care of yourself

This is a part of managing your time effectively: rest, eat balanced meals, exercise, and make time for things that you enjoy. You will feel less stress and notice your mood start to improve!

6)    Give yourself time to adjust

Recognize that relationships take time to develop (most students friendships from home are formed over a period of years).

7)    Be kind to yourself

When homesickness is strong, remind yourself that it is okay and normal to miss home there is nothing wrong with you and then tap into the things that you know work for you to cope with that feeling in the moment: read a book, watch a funny show, talk with friends in similar situations, or change your environment (such as going for a walk outside, talking a hot shower etc.).

8)    Don’t be afraid to ask for help

If you are struggling in a class or with a personal issue, use your resources:  Reach out to a friend, family member or College campuses resources such as:  Residence life staff, library, writing center, counseling center or academic advisors.

RAE Counseling offers individual, couples and family therapy to support individuals in this area. Find out more here.