Preparing to Enter College: A Guide to What to Expect Emotionally
by www.Sedona.com
This fall, a great number of high school graduates will join the 18 million college students already enrolled in the United States. For many, this time marks the beginning of adulthood and independence, and represents a time to grow, both educationally and as a person.
But it also brings up a myriad of unsettling emotions. Will you be academically successful? Will you be homesick for your parents and high school friends? What should your major be? All of these are common experiences for the incoming college freshman.
“Many feelings come up as you prepare to go to college,” says Hale Dwoskin, CEO and director of training of Sedona Training Associates. “Fear of the unknown, fear of being rejected, excitement for the freedom of being away from home and much more.”
Here we have detailed some of the most common worries of incoming freshman, along with the solutions of how to overcome them.
“I Won’t Know Anyone.”
True, but neither will anyone else. This means that almost everyone is eager to make friends, especially during orientation week. Most freshmen also have at least one roommate, so there’s your first introduction right there.
Also, many high school seniors are taking advantage of online social networking sites like Facebook to meet other incoming freshman at their college. This gives you a unique chance to chat with others who will be going to your school long before you arrive on campus.
“What if I Don’t Fit In?”
Part of what makes college so great is that you’ll meet a variety of new people. While you may have known everyone in your high school class, most colleges are diverse, offering clubs, organizations and activities for just about every interest. So you WILL find people that you do fit in with.
That being said, “fitting in” is not what’s most important anyway.
“Remember, college is a laboratory to experiment on how to be yourself -- not what others think you should be or even you think you should be, but how you authentically are,” Dwoskin says.
“What if I Get Homesick?”
You probably will miss the comforts of home once you go away, but you’ll also revel in your newfound independence. The key to moving forward when you find yourself missing home is simply to accept the feeling, then allow yourself to let it go.
You can also give your parents a call and chat, or talk to a new friend about how you’re feeling. Chances are they’ll understand.
“How Will I Keep Up With Everything?”
Going to college can be overwhelming. In addition to settling in to a completely unfamiliar environment, you’re expected to keep up with a new level of academics. This is not the time to overanalyze and worry yourself into a state of panic. This is the time to take things one step at a time.
From the moment you step foot on campus, there will be a plan in place to help you get oriented to the people and the campus, such as a “Freshmen Week” or other orientation. Then, once you’re a bit settled in, you can move on to registering for classes and the like. At every step of the way there are people to help, from your advisor to your new roommate. So don’t worry. Use The Sedona Method http://www.sedona.com/ to let go of your fears and enjoy this time while it’s here. It only comes once in a lifetime.
“I Don’t Know What to Major In.”
This decision should not be on the top of your list when your first enter college anyway. What’s more important is to first get a feel for college life and classes. This is why most colleges don’t ask you to declare a major until your sophomore year. As you adjust, perhaps after your first semester, you’ll get a feel for what topics most interest you and naturally move in that direction.
If you’re having a difficult time deciding which direction to go in, releasing works well once again. Release your indecision, release your worries of choosing the wrong major, release the feeling that you must decide. When you do, you’ll become much more in-tune with your inner dialogue and your intuition, which is just what you need at this point in your life.
“Remember to let go of the push and pulls that come both from within and without that are causing you to be inauthentic,” Dwoskin says. “All feelings are not you and they are not facts and you can easily let them go. Just simply use the basics of The Sedona Method to let go of whatever is making you feel uncomfortable or out of alignment with yourself.”
And through it all, remember to relax and have some fun. Entering college is one of the most thrilling times of your life. Look at it as a special opportunity to find out who you are and expand your horizons, and everything will be just fine.
But whether you are a new college student or a parent of one, remember what thousands of other students have come to learn … The Sedona Method is one tool that can help you succeed – and still feel at peace – like nothing else can.
Learn more about The Sedona Method and BE SURE TO TRY THE FREE SEDONA BONUS available to you right now on the homepage!
Source
National Center for Education Statistics
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