[SingDanceRunLife]

So, I'm starting college soon, as a freshman. I move into my dorm on the 29th and classes start on the 31st. While I'm really excited about it, I'm also getting really nervous! I'm worried about being away from my family even though I've been wanting to get out for over a year, I'm worried about the difficulty of my classes and doing well...I'm scared that I won't be able to balance work and pleasure because of all my classes...And it's bad. I have GAD/OCD, and it was pretty much controlled until lately. Lately, I've been obsessing over every little detail about school...my schedule, things for my room, what time I'm going to leave on the 29th and move in. I'm making lists, re-writing lists (one of my most irritating compulsions), organizing everything and all that. Oh, and I keep having this really weird dream where there are people, or something out to get the population of where I live. They come for you in a big black SUV, and will kidnap you if you don't get out soon enough. Last night I was caught. I feel like this has something to do with my worries about school because I almost never remember dreams, and this isn't a good one. I used to be on Prozac and see a therapist...then I stopped seeing the therapist, and a bit after that, stopped taking the Prozac. I don't want to go on meds again, and honestly, I'm leaving for school in 9 days, so I don't see much point in seeing the therapist again before that...I just...don't know.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Anyone have any advice or anything?

[AAAAA]

I wish that I had some helpful advice for you. The college my daughter attends realizes that not only do happy well socialized students do well, but the stay in school and return to the school that gives them that home away from home environment. They took socialization quite seriously. The orientation itself was about a week long and went over everything with us (separately) about what to expect in just about any situation from academics to socialization. They even have a “block” program similar to a high school schedule. If you’ve declared your major you have a block of classes with the same people so that you have many opportunities to meet and interact with one another. They even went so far as to try to put people with similar interests in the same blocks based upon the millions of questionnaires filled out during orientation and application.

The things they suggested for those students that might fall through the “welcoming” cracks (those students that have not declared a major or taken the questionnaires seriously) is that they either join a club or if there isn’t one established in something that you’re interested in, start one. Do attending the welcoming functions. If you’re strong in a subject volunteer for tutoring or apply at the student center. Please realize that even though the other freshmen appear to have it all together and handling the change well that they too are struggling. All the feelings you will have are completely natural and normal. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, contact the campus mental health office, they’re there to help and are very familiar with these freshmen feelings.

Good luck and have a great year! I’m sure you’ll find your niche.

Oh and they also suggested leaving the dorm doors open (had door wars, every time an RA walked by and saw your door open you got a star. At the end of the week the room with the most stars won, the winner got something for their room) and have like fresh baked goods or “sharing” foods available as conversation starters. If safety is an issue on your campus, perhaps bring something to a study room and offer to another student sitting alone.

[VickiesPath]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

Anyone have any advice or anything?

Dear SingDanceRunLife,

If you've read any of my posts, you know that I am proud of my tendency to ramble and go off topic! It is my trademark! I am now going to grace you with a tidbit.

Once while lying in my son's bed as was customary before he went to sleep (he was in 1/2 day kindergarten at the time), he said, "Mom, I'm scared."

I asked him what about, and he said he was afraid that he was not going to be able to learn all the things he was expected to know to get into first grade. He was very seriously upset and worried, a very unusual thing for him.

I thought for a moment and then assured him that they would teach him many things in kindergarten and, one lesson at a time, he would soon know everything he needed to know before 1st grade started. I said, you know that big kid,Tyler, who you don't like and you think is stupid? He answered, yes, he did. I said, he's in fourth grade. Do you think if he can make it through first grade that you can do it, too? He giggled, "Yes!"

Many, many students have made it through their first year of college before you and you will, too.

Oh. And I made it through college, graduated Cum Laude, while working three part-time jobs. You're gonna be fine.

[habibilove]

hi
i just finished first year and i felt much the same
i was so shy i didnt think i could talk to anyone, but i moved the 200 miles and i was forced to talk to people by necessity
talk to your flatmates the first night - thats what i did and we all went out together - then join clubs as well and youll make friends and stuff

there may be a therapist through the colllege you can talk to

trust me - itll be ok

[SingDanceRunLife]

One good thing for me is that my roommate is one of my best friends. I've known her since 9th grade, so I'm not worried about that aspect of college at all. But it's the classes and balancing my time and everything...and being away from home...the longest I've ever been away from my family is 1 week, and that was with my youth group and some of my best friends.

[AAAAA]

I'm sure that you'll do just fine. How far away from home will you be? My daughter's college actually recommended that the kids not return home or parents visit until parent's weekend which is about 6 weeks into the term. I wish that I'd kept the packet they gave us, it was full of first year information and tips. How wonderful that you'll be rooming with one of your best friends, you've got more than half the battle won.

[SingDanceRunLife]

I'll be just over an hour away. I'm going home 2 weeks after I leave...I was involved in theater throughout middle and high school, and a bunch of my good friends are in a show so I absolutely have to go see it and support them...plus, that's the same weekend as my mom's birthday so...

[AAAAA]

I completely understand. My daughter returned home a couple of weeks later for a function that escapes me now. They may have the knowledge, but even while given the advice, I knew if she called home upset because she was lonely that I'd be there in a matter of hours.

[Junerain]

(((((SingDanceRunLife)))

I can tell by your screen name, your reaching out, your attitude, and all your lists you will be just fineHome is just a phone call away, or an hour awayYour roomie will be around, and you will balance time well with all your lists....wish it was me that was getting the fresh start!!!

[SingDanceRunLife]

I just need to get the move done and over with. Each day as it approaches, I break down. I had a breakdown yesterday, and one tonight...

[Junerain]

Are you in therapy, go to a therapist when you have a breakdown?

[SingDanceRunLife]

I am not currently in therapy...and I leave the day after tomorrow.

[Junerain]

Most colleges have good counseling centers, do not hesitate to use them, that's what they are for

[SingDanceRunLife]

Yeah. I know. I leave in 7 hours! Crazy...But I'm feeling better about it, probably because it seems so surreal.

[aria83]

SingDanceRunLife, Ahh, the college days. I have ocd and gad too. I was a college freshman exactly 8 years ago. Here is my advice to you. You can take or leave it of course, everyone's different So my advice. see if your college has a counseling center or counseling services for students. You want something to cushion you if something happens and you don't know how to cope. who knows though, maybe you have good coping skills already. I don't know. Change can be hard and stressful. Take time to be good to yourself, however it is that you do that. Surround yourself with people who are nice, kind, and supportive. if I think of more I will post later. You will get used to the change too. Everything that seemed scary at first, you'll be like, oh I can handle this.