It seems like just yesterday you stood proudly in your cap and gown, high school diploma in hand. But today, a scuffed dorm room floor has replaced the waxed commencement stage.

Yup. You've made it to college. You, and you . . . alone.

Wait a minute! Just because you're on your own doesn't mean you're alone. With so many of your high school peers beside you, there's no reason to worry. Read on to beef up on your college survival skills. Before you know it, you'll be feeling more at ease in your new surroundings.

Taking the Stress Out of College

Sure, there are things you've never dealt with before: living away from home, dealing with roommates, washing your own clothes . . . but with a little preparation, you can build enough confidence to tackle any stress that comes your way.

Living away from home tends to be the toughest adjustment for first-year students. You've had a job description that clearly tells you your role within your family all of your life. The family comedian? The mediator? Maybe the translator? Whichever role you fulfilled at home, when you're gone, you're not sure where you fit in. It may seem like your family is doing fine without you, and you may feel uncomfortable or sad about these changes.

You may also feel homesick in your first weeks and months. The first thing you should know if you're longing for your old scene, friends, or even your bratty brother, is that homesickness is very common. In fact, just about everyone experiences it at some point in his or her life. But you still may feel lonely or left out.

Some students turn to alcohol, heavy partying, excessive sleep, smoking, or drugs to deal with these sorts of problems. Don't resort to getting wasted all the time to cope with your new situation - too much partying can result in lots more problems and can seriously interfere with your ability to keep up with all your assignments, papers, and exams, and that will only make matters worse.

Try to identify your feelings and fears, and talk about what you're going through. The sooner you deal with these issues, the sooner you'll feel better. If you are homesick, it can help to call, write, or email your parents, other family members, and friends from home to let them know how you're doing and to tell them you miss them.

Who else can you talk to? For starters, that person sharing the dorm room with you. Roommates are great built-in buddies, and as first-year students themselves, they're probably experiencing many of the same fears and worries that you're dealing with.

But what if you don't get along with your roommate?

Your roommate might be as unlike you as the cafeteria's mystery meat is from your mom's pot roast. In some cases, that's a good thing; opposites sometimes attract. And a different perspective may be what you need. But if you just don't get along, there's no reason to freak out. You'll still have to spend the year together, so try to respect your differences.

It can help to find someone you do feel understands you. On a campus with plenty of people your age, chances are great you'll find someone with whom you click. And if you can't wait for that, make a stop at the school counseling center. All universities have one, and first-year fears are something the counselors know well.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: June 2002
Originally reviewed by: Jonathan Schneider, DO