Congratulations! You are moving off to college to begin your training for your future career. Whether you already know your path or are still looking for it, the next few years will be full of learning and discoveries. But if you are moving away in a new city, in an apartment of your own or in a dorm room, it might be difficult at first. You will need to take care of your own laundry, feed yourself properly and even get proper home insurance for yourself. You will not have your usual support system, and the environment might be completely foreign to you. But there are ways to help make yourself feel more at home, wherever you are.
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If you are moving in a dorm room, it might be more difficult since you are most likely sharing it with someone. But if you can bring your bed linen from your house, as well as some pictures and things that remind you of home, you’ll already feel more at ease. Don’t be afraid to express your own tastes and use colors you like. If you can, don’t always eat at the cafeteria; if you have access to a full kitchen, ask your parents for your favourite recipes and try and make them on your own. A lot of our best memories are related to food, and a nice home-cooked dish will certainly help with homesickness.
The same basic ideas apply when you are moving in an apartment, whether on- or off-campus. If the unit is not furnished and if you can drive to your new city, bringing some of your own furniture with you will help maintain a link between your childhood home and your new adult life. You will probably have to buy some new things, so don’t be afraid to experiment with new styles and colors which appeal to you instead of copying your parents’ house. You might discover that you are quite the decorator! Make sure your kitchen is well-stocked and that you have all the cookware and accessories you need; living off of ramen noodles and mac and cheese won’t get you very far. Learn to cook healthy meals that will help you get through that tough exam. Don’t afraid to call your parents for recipes and tips. Who knows when you might crave your mom’s Shepherd pie?
Keeping links to your home is very important if you don’t want to feel lost and cut off in a new environment. Pictures and objects that remind you of home will help you a lot through this new phase of your life. But you should also take the time to find the things that will make the place your own. Finding a balance between old and new is the key. You might find the new responsibility of keeping the place clean and safe, taking care of household chores and protecting your valuables with contents insurance might seem a lot at first, but soon you’ll find that there is pride and worth in having your own space. Best of luck with your studies and your entry into adult life!
Moving away to college was an exciting but scary time, at least for me. Since my freshman year, there are so many new/cool/interesting gadgets and ways to decorate your dorm room to make it feel like a legit home away from home. Check out http://www.StudentAdvisor.com‘s FREE Dorm Essentials guide! http://www.studentadvisor.com/guides/college-dorm-essentials
Some great ideas here thank you. Our neice is heading off to college next year and we are trying to get her organized a long time before the event. Also appreciate Tarcey T’s suggestions too.
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