Going off to college


LiquidSurprise Posts: 724 Likes: +1,400 LEVEL 0	Rest assured this isn't one of those goodbye posts. I just came on here to ask some of the older players or players going off to college about how they deal with leaving home. I know this seems like something I should put on my wall but I really want to get the input of the people here. Some of you guys know that I'm leaving this upcoming Tuesday for college. It wasn't until I started clearing out my closet and drawers that I realized I'm actually going to leave home, a place I've never left for an extreme extended period time without my parents. I do have an anxiety disorder where on occasion I've gotten anxiety attacks. Already I could feel one coming but I've learned to control them but that sensation of being scared of moving away from home is still there. I'm genuinely freaking out about moving away. I've lived in China for a couple of months but even then, I was with my parents. I guess I'm just panicked on living on my own. The most I've been away from my parents was 4 days for a school event in Cali and for a camping trip with my friends. I know this may sounds silly but I can't shake this feeling. Like, many of my friends are just ecstatic about moving away from home or finally going to college that they just want to move away immediately. I hear everyone's excitement about college but I'm just here terrified about going. I do have a sister that has already graduated from college but she's a lot different from me. While I'm scared s***less from being away from home, she wished should could have moved further away from home. I am excited about finally being on my own so game night every night. Chilling with da squad doesn't require permission from the parents. Even then, that fear and anxiety overpowers what I am excited about. To add on to that, I need to start working to help pay off for school and I'm in engineering, known to be a stressful, hard and everything else that sucks about school. I am aware that many of you guys are far from going to college and this probably doesn't apply to some of you guys. Hell, this may just sound like me complaining but to those who can help give some advice about moving away or college, please do. I know there's some of the older folks that have gone through this so I would very much like your input on this. Posted Aug 14, 16 · OP · Last edited Aug 14, 16 Like x 11 x 11 List Undo
GreekGoddess432 Posts: 845 Likes: +1,708 LEVEL 0	Well it gets easier. Maybe not the first few months. It took some time for me to get used to setting dates, going to the doctor when i'm sick and making appointments/ talk to my adviser. The real discipline is to study while your friends want you to hang out. But it wont take long to adjust. I also had a bit of anxiety. I can understand. I'm assuming you will live in a dorm so if that's the case it wont be hard to make friends. You will pretty much know at least 20 people from your halls and in class so that should help with some of the stress. Friends definitely help with important dates and things you need to be aware of in college and over time you will feel completely independent. For the first year, I would have a weekly skype chat with the 'rents to update them on stuff and whatnot but I only moved 2 hours away from them so if I were in real trouble I could always drive back to see them. Some people move out of the state and i'm not sure how they deal but it just takes a little adjusting. I guess the feeling is best related to learning how to drive. At first, its incredibly scary getting behind the wheel, let alone being "alone". After a few months, you are completely relaxed and your confidence is much higher. Its the same thing. No need to fret. Just remember that studying and good grades come first. Posted Aug 14, 16 Like x 10 x 10 List Undo
Xorgon a Posts: 3,281 Likes: +1,912 LEVEL 0	It'll always be hard leaving home for the first time, but it definitely gets easier. My recommendation would be to keep yourself busy at first, get into the swing of things and try to focus on the things you are excited about. The vast majority of people will be in a very similar situation, so you're not alone and there are always people around to support you. Also, bear in mind that a lot of people pretend to be more ready than they are. Even if it doesn't seem like it, they're probably feeling the same as you. As for the work, there are also people to support you with that, and it's never as bad as it seems at first. One thing that I found especially helpful was finding friends on my course, we were able to help each other with coursework and study. On a side note, are you doing general engineering or any specific type? I'm going into my second year of Aerospace Engineering at uni and I'd be happy to help if I can. Thanks, Xorgon xorgon.me Posted Aug 14, 16 · Last edited Aug 14, 16 Like x 8 x 8 List Undo
aurumMiner Posts: 271 Likes: +46 LEVEL 0	My advice is to make as many friends as possible. I know I'm not as old as any of the other members on this post, but when you first reach college, make sure to keep your schedule as busy as possible. You'll get the gist of it after a couple of weeks, and by then you should be pretty comfortable. Aside from that, make sure you do good in school and I hope to see you online much more. Have fun! Posted Aug 15, 16 Like x 2 x 2 List Undo
LiquidSurprise Posts: 724 Likes: +1,400 LEVEL 0	Xorgon wrote: On a side note, are you doing general engineering or any specific type? I'm going into my second year of Aerospace Engineering at uni and I'd be happy to help if I can. As a freshman I start out in the first year engineering program but my planwas to go into Chemical Engineering. I'm nervous about that since I've heard the Chemical Engineering is one of the hardest engineering focus. Posted Aug 15, 16 · OP Like x 2 x 2 List Undo
A_Jazzy_Whale Posts: 1,058 Likes: +1,890 LEVEL 0	I can't really say much about dealing with "anxiety attacks" in the anticipation of moving away from home (your parents) mostly because I was super ecstatic about living in the dorm. Set a time in the week when you call your parents to give them updates or whatever. You will look forward to the first few calls. After about a month or so, you will occasionally forget to call them due to the numerous activities you will have ideally picked up in college (i.e. studies, friends, work, etc). It should be a smooth transition to living your life in autonomy. As GreekGoddess said earlier, studying come first. School is much more important than work. My former boss told me that a job means Just Over Broke. Don't look for employment opportunities if your grades are not already top-notch. Good grades can give you scholarships, and those are just as good as (if not, better than) paychecks earned from work. Best of luck. Posted Aug 15, 16 Like x 8 x 8 List Undo
buzzsaw100 Posts: 73 Likes: +79 LEVEL 0	You know those icebreaker things that seemed so stupid in high school classes? Your college probably has a few programs for incoming freshmen that are living on campus, and they help a bunch. Some of my closest groups of friends and my long term ex girlfriend I met through my orientation group. Meet people through there, socialize with them, also meet with as many people as you can, in your dorm, through clubs, just out and about. Main thing is to just get involved with college. Make yourself want to belong there, it really helps you to stay focused, and gives you an active distraction from that, oh man, not another day of class. Heck, see if there's a gaming club at your school, see if there's any sports clubs you're interested in, could be intramural sports as well, which are really fun, or my school had a fun street hockey club, where we played twice a week. There's clubs for everything, even at small schools. One warning I have to give, as I experienced the downside of this myself. Be aware, you are on your own, your parents aren't there to nag you about doing your homework, you won't get a call home if you miss a class from sleeping in, your parents won't be there to wake you up because you were too tired to wake up. You do have to be responsible in those regards, because as you said, they won't be there to keep you from gaming every night, which I would suggest not gaming too much, it can be a huge distraction from what you're there to do, which is to enjoy your college years, and to earn your degree, and on time. Remember school ALWAYS comes first, above gaming, above that frat party down the way, even above your job. Most school employers understand, and should want you to do well in school. Good luck Oh, and get a good alarm clock and a bunch of fans Posted Aug 15, 16 Like x 8 x 8 List Undo
Shnoofles Posts: 173 Likes: +207 LEVEL 0	GoBroSam GoBroJosh [url=steam://friends/add/'.76561198281765256.'][/url] Posted Aug 15, 16 · Last edited Aug 15, 16
ghjj34 Posts: 2,107 Likes: +587 LEVEL 0	LiquidSurprise wrote: As a freshman I start out in the first year engineering program but my planwas to go into Chemical Engineering. I'm nervous about that since I've heard the Chemical Engineering is one of the hardest engineering focus. I might actually probably see you around in 2 years. As for taking that course or any other one, just remember that it isn't strange to completely change what you want to do. After testing that waters your true passions should arise. Good Luck On MCBall! Pat on the back just for Stophackin And just to clear things up G-Gorilla H-Hammer J-Jaguar J-Jumps 3-3 4-4 Posted Aug 15, 16 Like x 2 x 2 List Undo
LiquidSurprise Posts: 724 Likes: +1,400 LEVEL 0	So I just moved in today. It went pretty well but I still need to get used to living here. This entire week is orientation so that'll help. I want to thank all of you guys for giving your advice and help. I couldn't have asked for a better community or better people to help me through this. Again thank you. Posted Aug 16, 16 · OP · Last edited Aug 16, 16 Like x 6 x 6 List Undo

Going off to college

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