#HonorsProblems: The College Move

Welcome Class of 2018 and returning UHPers! Now that we’ve all gotten settled, all your things are unpacked, and you finally know where your classes are (sorta), it’s time to start getting into the zone. The college zone. College can be scary, college can be hard, and there are plenty of time that your parent’s couch seems like a much better idea than a Thurston six. So take a deep breath, square your shoulders, crack your knuckles, and keep some of these tips in mind!

  Get Calm.

College is pretty terrifying. Moving out of home to live with people you don’t know and no one knows you. The lack of support networks, friends and family can seem like a total nightmare. But try not to have a panic attack, there are things you can do to keep yourself from having heart palpitations.
Step one is to breathe. You aren’t alone. The beautiful thing about college is that everyone is in the same boat as you. It take times to get settled and feel comfortable, so don’t panic if you feel out of place – after a few weeks you won’t! Don’t panic if things don’t work out at first, if you don’t know what you want to major in, or if you get a C on a test (gasp!); it’ll take some time to adjust to college life, but eventually it will feel routine. Which leads me to my next bit of advice…
 

 Get Settled.
I know I just said this will take some time, but an important part of adjusting to college is getting into a routine. Humans like stability, and the sooner you can figure out the things that will make you feel healthy and confident, the better. Class schedule helps, but picking regular times to wake up, eat, and hit the gym all go a long way toward making the adjustment to college living much smoother. And there’s something to be said for settling into a budget. Knowing how much you’re spending on Chipotle  and Starbucks for the rest of the week can be pretty handy — it’s always good to know where you’re money’s going, and how much you have left over for fun. Plus, it’ll help drop some of the stress of living.
It’s okay if this takes a few weeks, getting settled is a slow process, but it will go a long way toward turning your place at GW into a home away from home.

Get Out
Once you get settled, it’s important to remember that you have to spend some time leaving your new little nest. College is a time when you can meet some pretty amazing people, and when making friends is the easiest thing in the world. Hit up the Student Org Fair on August 30th to find a group of people that are interested in some of the same things you are, and get to know the people on your floor. After all, they’re a captive audience.
Also, don’t forget about using the resources on campus. The UHP has tons of connections to other departments, and can patch you through to whoever you need when you need it.
 
So, stay calm, get comfortable here, and get to know people. The more you do these things, the more comfortable, and awesome, you’ll feel.