The transition from high school to college is nothing short of daunting. Whether you are itching to move on to the next chapter of your life or hesitant to take this big step, the nerves are bound to sneak up on you at one point or another. Coming from someone who struggles with change, this was a time in my life where I learned a lot about myself and embracing the uncomfortable. It was a process, one which has taught me a few things along the way. Here are some of the words of wisdom that can really make a difference. 

Give it time. I know this is something that you have definitely heard before, but it really makes a difference. Going into this new environment and expecting everything to fall into place immediately leaves room for disappointment. I am not saying that a smooth transition like this cannot happen, because it absolutely can; however, it is important to remind yourself to be patient. If you immerse yourself into the whole college environment and put yourself out there, I can promise you will meet new people that will become lifelong friends.

Be open to new experiences. College is such a unique time in your life. Don’t close doors to opportunities that you don’t think you are interested in, and don’t close yourself off to meeting people that may be different from your friends from home. It is important to step out of your comfort zone and try new things that you have never done. College is the perfect place to find new interests, hobbies, and learn new things about yourself. Universities and colleges offer so many opportunities including clubs, greek life, student government, intramural sports, club sports, job and internship fairs, and more. If you think of it, they probably offer it.

Make a schedule. In addition to the task of making new friends and finding your place, getting used to classes can also be a little overwhelming. It is important to learn how to manage your time between social life, academics, and time for yourself. I think the biggest adjustment to college is having more downtime between classes, but it is really easy to procrastinate and not use your time wisely. This will lead you to be very unprepared for classes and behind on work which will cause a lot of stress. The best thing I did for myself to prevent this was to schedule out my day. Make time to study and do school work. Make time for yourself to work out or get outside and go for a run or walk. Make time to meet new people and hang out with friends. Make time to go to the dining hall to get a good, nutritious meal. If you do all these things and more, you will find yourself in a good place to be able to get to bed at a good hour and get a good night's sleep to fuel up for the next day. Sleep deprivation is a real thing and it is not worth it to pull all-nighters because of being behind on school work. Stay on top of your schedule and you will succeed.