College can be scary, especially when it is a new place, a new environment and there are new people. I, for one, look around sometimes still after being here a semester, completely in awe that I am here. I am in college. I am in Florida, 1,000 miles away from Massachusetts, with a whole new life and set of friends, away from my family. For some, that is scary. Before I was here and settled, I was scared. Scared of making friends and feeling like I would not belong.
It only took a couple of days and I found myself the happiest I have ever been, with new friends who are now my family and ambition to achieve all my goals. Yes, college is scary, but only when you do not know what to make of it. Once you settle in and you are equipped with tools to succeed in every aspect, it is not so scary. Here are some things that helped me with dorming.
- Bring a microwave and a mini-fridge. If you have roommates, coordinate with them so you don’t have extra appliances you won’t need.
- Bring beach towels.
- Bring at least three sets of sheets.
- Throw pillows are a must, especially a body pillow.
- LED lights are always a vibe and make your room feel homey.
- Bring a broom and a Swiffer.
- Put your mail and room key on a lanyard. I also carry a chapstick and my shark card on this lanyard.
- Febreze or air fresheners are a must.
- Get to know your RA.
- If you do not know your roommates, that is okay. You do not have to be friends with yours. I am not and it does not affect me at all.
- Put your Snapchat and Instagram usernames on your name tag that is on your door. It’s an easy way to make friends.
- Do not be afraid to knock on random doors to meet new people.
- Check the laundry room before carrying all your laundry down, so you know that there are washers open.
- Bring lots of extra tape to hang stuff up in your room.
- Bring an extension cord and extra chargers.
- Take time to learn where things are on campus. It may feel like it will take a long time, but it only took me a week to get comfortable walking around with no directions.
- Be yourself
Getting away from home and going to college was the best thing I ever did. I have never been this happy, and even though I miss my family, they are only a text message away. I am so happy I jumped at the opportunity to experience a new environment. I feel like I am on vacation 24/7 and that feeling is ecstatic. College is the time to find out who you really are, so just be yourself and make sure you are comfortable.
