College Placement Consulting

“Always be prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation”

-“Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert

            Starting college is one of the biggest transitions that a person will have to face in their lifetime. Whether the college is right down the road from your home or 500 miles from your home, there are going to be changes on the horizon. Each student will deal with these changes, and the idea of beginning a new chapter, in their own individual ways. Some are biting at the bit to explore their independence and see what all of the hype is about, while others may be more reserved or anxious about this dramatic change. The quote above illustrates the idea that our lives are filled with changes and, since change is fairly inevitable, it is important to try and distinguish your own personal transitioning styles and tools.

            I will admit that I was very hesitant about starting my career as a college student, but now, as a rising senior, I can honestly say that I learned more about myself than I had in any other stage of my life. I realized that I usually do not transition smoothly and I generally try to avoid change like the plague, but the quote above is quite clear in stating that change can’t be avoided and I’d better get used to it. I had to come up with my own tools to help me deal with new routines, surroundings, and situations.

A great personal tool was the realization that so many people around me at school were in the same position of unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory as I was. The first few weeks of freshman year are the absolute best time to meet people because everyone is new, vulnerable, and out of their comfort zone so there is this sense of an evened playing field. It may be the tag line of every other sci-fi movie released but there is some truth to the statement “you are not alone!”  Another skill that I found to be helpful was the discovery of  what I like to call “universal environments”. Going to the movies, shopping at a mall, or even going to a grocery store are all activities that seem relatively similar no matter where you are located. Some may laugh at the idea of shopping therapy, but there have been many times when I have been homesick, stressed or just in a bad mood and going to the mall seems to get my mind off of everything and provide much needed comfort. It is great to utilize certain activities that make you happy and provide some relaxation in your life. Another important skill to work on is the balancing of alone time and time with peers. I am not suggesting that students should become hermits in their dorm rooms and hide from friends under the blankets, but I also am not recommending students to spend every hour of the day surrounded by a posse of friends. It is important to build social networks, but it is just as vital to be comfortable with spending some time with only yourself and not feel lonely the instant your friends walk out the door. This is a balance that is helpful in college and becomes a great life skill to have as an adult as well.

So now you have some tips that will hopefully help in your transition to college, as well as your transformations throughout life. Now go have fun learning college stuff on your own-like not to burn popcorn in your dorm at 3am in February (your friends won’t appreciate being awakened by a screeching loud alarm going off and having to run outside in the snow wearing their pajamas).