For many seniors, it’s hard to believe they are finally the ones preparing to leave high school behind. Along with that realization comes stress, anxiety and uncertainty. Not so long ago these feelings belonged to this year’s college freshman.

After talking to three of last year’s graduates, one thing became clear: almost everyone is going to feel some level of discomfort at first.

Despite how exciting and fun starting college can be, Callie Horn still found the transition to be a major adjustment.  

“It’s going to be uncomfortable for a little while, no matter what, just because it’s so much change at once,” Horn said. “You just have to be prepared for that and know that it all gets better with time.”

Sam Soccorsy, a freshman at the University of Colorado Boulder, felt that the challenge of going from living with his family to being in a new state alone wasn’t a shock. 

“Leaving home was definitely the thing I was most nervous about,” Soccorsy said. “It can be stressful, but once you build that community and open yourself up to new relationships, it starts to feel like a second home.”

Most people who talk about their college say how amazing it is. However it is important to recognize that with any big change in life, uncertainty and discomfort are bound to follow. For Horn, the adjustment into the first semester of college was especially challenging. 

“I didn’t really see my parents besides parents weekend and Thanksgiving break, which was something I wasn’t used to,” Horn said. “It was definitely a lot, meeting new people, and it can be hard to know if they’re convenient friends, or really your people.”

As overwhelming as the beginning can feel, it doesn’t last forever. What once feels unfamiliar and stressful slowly becomes routine with the help of a stronger community and support system.

“[First to second semester] was a 180 degree flip,” Horn said. “Second semester I met so many great people and it was nice to see familiar faces around campus.” 

As nerve racking as being placed into a new environment with so many people may be, it forces you to find your own community—something that college naturally cultivates.

College freshman Annie Burlingame attends Texas Christian University (TCU) and is majoring in strategic communications and minoring in finance. 

According to Burlingame, one of the best aspects of this new experience is the strong sense of community that college brings.

“My favorite thing is the people, which is such a cliche answer, but genuinely, you’re getting to meet people from so many backgrounds, and who have so many different experiences,” Burlingame said. 

Because of this mix of backgrounds, many students find it easier to connect with others and form a sense of community.

Soccorsy feels that finding a community can be easier in college, with everyone being in the same boat as everyone else.

“You’re in a place where it’s everyone’s first time living away from home, so you connect on that really quickly,” Soccorsy said. 

Going through the transition from living at home with a support system, to being alone at college can seem very daunting. Although, for all three graduated seniors, it’s taught them how to be independent.  

“You’re the only person really holding yourself accountable,” Horn said.

That sense of responsibility has affected Soccorsy due to the absence of a structured high school environment in college. 

“You have a lot more free time in college, so you have to learn how to manage your time,” Soccorsy said.

To help keep a level head throughout the transition process, Horn’s advice about balance can make such a major change easier to navigate.

“Putting aside time in my schedule to just relax is really important,” Horn said. “I’m very type A, I always want to feel like I’m being productive. But I’ve learned that it’s okay to take breaks, and that’s what’s really important for mental health and not feeling overly stressed.”

When college move-in day finally arrives, college can seem overwhelming. However, only eight months ago, these college freshmen were going through the same transition, and have come out of that experience with tips for the very beginning. 

For Soccorsy, even something as small as leaving his doom room door open helped him meet new people and instantly feel more connected.

“Especially towards the beginning of college, just leaving your door open—that simple act can lead to a lot of pathways and friendships that you wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Soccorsy said.

Similarly, Horn noted the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone during those first few weeks.

“It’s really important to say yes to everything for those first couple of weeks,” Horn said.

As exciting as leaving for college in a couple of months can be, Soccorsy emphasized the importance of not rushing through the great memories being made right now.

“The summer before college is such a fun time,” Soccorsy said. “Just staying in the present and enjoying your hometown friends and being with your family is really important, but also be excited for what’s right on the horizon.”