5 stages of going to college for the first time

It’s official! You, recent graduate you, are taking the next step in your life by starting your freshman year of college. Congratulations!

As with any major change in life, you’re probably going to go through several stages of *feels* when you head off to college for the first time. When it came to my experience, I distinctly remember 5 stages I went through during my freshman year and, let me tell you, were they a roller coaster of emotions.

So, like all things to describe how I feel, I’m going to go through said stages…as explained by Harry Potter. Don’t fight, just feel!

1. Fear

College — now THAT was a scary word. I feared all sorts of things: my future roommate, my classes, the idea of being away from home. It was all too new and scary and pleaseeee don’t make me do it!

2. Excitement

Not too long after the fear stage, I got the letter that contained my housing arrangements and my new roommate, along with this *fancy* new social media site that was exclusive for the class of ’13. I got to talk to my future classmates, meet my roommate and check out my new digs and now…hey, this sounds pretty awesome. Can’t I leave now?!

3. Nostalgia

The day I left for college — and this is something my mother will never let me forget as she tells everyone she gets the chance to — I was so distraught and filled with a sense of nostalgia that I walked through every room in my house and as I walked through the door I bursted into tears. (This is extremely embarrassing to admit, but there it is). You probably won’t be as dramatic as me but let me tell you, leaving your house for that last time before it all changes? It can bring out your nostalgic side.

4. Isolation

2 kewl hangin w/my friends 2 call mom (sorry mom!!)

Like I said before, this whole process is a roller coaster, which leads me to my next phase. I don’t mean isolation in the way you might think. I was never isolated by myself, but I was isolated from everything I was just weeping about two weeks before. I shut myself off and became fully ingrained in college life with new friends, new classes and new experiences. I’m not saying this was a great choice, but it’s a stage, don’t judge me!

5. Balance

Finally we reach the last stage. After the ups and downs of emotions, I finally settled into a balance of college life and remembering that I, in fact, still have a life outside that bubble. (Also it came to the point where my dad had to tell me to call my mother. Dark times. Don’t forget about your mom, people!) It takes time, but you’ll be able to juggle it all — you can grow up without losing where you came from.

Written by Laura Sestito. Laura is the Editorial and Production Coordinator at NextStepU and graduated from Nazareth College. 

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