How to Prepare for Being on Your Own: New Experiences, New Environments

Navigating high school was hard. But you haven’t even seen the half of it. Not to scare you or anything.

College is an exciting, confusing, whirlwind of a learning experience. There are so many ups and downs that you’ll never see coming. But it’s the best time to learn everything there is to know about yourself, your friends, and your place at Auburn. Join me as I share the biggest things I’ve learned from these scary new environments and incredible new experiences.

Navigating Life Alone

In high school, you probably gained some new freedoms. But you still weren’t really on your own. You still lived at home with your parents and siblings and could lean on them whenever you needed. In college, all of that is gone. It sounds scary to be alone for the first time, but if you use it right it really can be a huge learning experience.

One piece of advice I would give is to try your hardest to find friends within the first week on campus. They don’t have to be lifelong friends that will be at your wedding, but one or two people that you can hang out with while you learn the ropes of campus. For me, it was my roommates. The first few weeks on campus freshman year I leaned on them whenever I felt overwhelmed, confused, or just needed some comfort in the uncomfortable environment I’d been placed in.

Another, and probably the most important, piece of advice I can give you is to learn to be comfortable alone. This was a struggle for me. I’d lived my whole life always being around friends and family. So being dropped in a place where there wasn’t always someone there was scary. But being alone isn’t so bad. Learn to appreciate the silent moments alone, because once you get past your first year, you’re going to wish you had a few more of them.

Navigating New Environments

The environments in college are tremendously different from any you’ve experienced before. You suddenly find yourself responsible for managing your own time, saving and spending your own money, and making decisions that are best for you. You now have the option to study and do homework or hang out with your friends. You’re likely going to choose the latter. And that’s okay, as long as you don’t choose it every time. It’s important to balance your time once you have the freedom to do so, and make sure school is still a priority. Do you go get a coffee every morning? Or do you learn to make your own at home? Both are totally fine, as long as there’s a balance between the two. Saving money is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in college so far, so be mindful of when you choose to treat yourself and when you choose to save. There are obviously new nightlife experiences in college, so be aware of the decisions you make every day and don’t let other people’s words or opinions guide how you make decisions.

Navigating New Experiences

The experiences you have in college are exciting. But some of them can be overwhelming. As far as school goes, try to experience as much as you can through clubs, classes, and jobs. The best thing I ever did freshman year was find an on-campus job that related to my minor and a club that related to my major. Being a part of these organizations has not only given me valuable experience but friendships that I can carry with me throughout my time at Auburn and beyond. Experience on campus and in your major will take you far once you graduate and start looking for a career.

The life experiences outside of school are the ones that can make or break your college years. Experiencing a new dynamic of people is one of the things I’ve found extremely hard but very enlightening. Remember, other people are experiencing scary things, too, so be understanding if they aren’t behaving exactly how you expected them to. Embrace the changing environment. College is not only a time to learn academically but also a growing opportunity. So be patient and take the new experiences one day at a time.

College is your opportunity to learn new things about yourself and grow into a person you’ll want to be for the rest of your life. Embrace the lows. Embrace the highs. Take the journey one step at a time. Freshman year is going to be a tough one, but it’s going to be oh so exciting.

Be Well, Auburn.