Moving Away: How to Tackle Feeling Lost on Campus

Deciding on where to go to college is a big step in your education. While some people prefer to stay close to home, others make the leap to move to another city or, in some cases, another state. Moving away from home can be the best thing that happened to some people. Others, however, may need support or to be more informed about what it is they are getting in to.

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Campus Resources

Typically, colleges or universities will have free or affordable health clinics available to students. This can be useful knowing where your campus’s clinic is and what services they provide. Getting sick while away from home for the first time can be stressful, especially if you do not know where to receive treatment.

Also, being aware of mental health services can help ease the transition of moving away. Like the health clinics, some schools may offer free or affordable counseling services. Going somewhere that you are not familiar with comes with unfamiliar faces and the possibility that you will need someone to talk to, these counseling services can provide an outlet for these cases.

Getting Involved

The biggest piece of advice you will hear when going to college is to make the most out of the experience. The best way to make the most out of your experience is to get involved. There are organizations for students in all aspects: Fraternity and Sorority Life, service organizations or organizations that pertain to your major are different ways to get involved and make a change in either your life or the campus.

Finding a group of people that you can befriend and have the same interests as you can alleviate the feeling of loneliness that may come with being away from home. If you do not find this in an organization, connecting with either your roommate or people that live near you can make your living situation feel more like home.

Find Your Niche

Though it may sound cliché, finding your niche can help you feel more comfortable in your new environment. Whether you like video games, sports, or focusing on your school work, you can find a group of people on campus that feel the same way. Understanding that you are in a period of growth and can discover new interests can ease you into belonging on campus. College is all about learning more, both professionally and personally.

Another way to find your place on campus could be an on-campus job. These jobs allow you to work closely to both school and where you live. As well as location, another advantage of an on-campus job is that you will be able to work around your school schedule and make sure that you are not overwhelming yourself with responsibilities.

Moving away can be scary for some, but there are ways to feel comfortable during your transition. Whether it be getting involved in organizations or familiarizing yourself with on-campus resources, there is no reason to believe you will not be successful in your new location.