I’m going to be a whopping 3,044 miles away from home next year. If Google Maps isn’t playing some cruel practical joke on me like it did the time I was an hour late to my prom bus rendezvous because I couldn’t find the host’s house (hi, I’m a really successful person), I take that calculation to mean that I’m packing my bags and traversing this country all the way from west coast to east coast. Four years and two-dozen six hour plane rides later, I will be presented with a piece of watermarked cardstock paper that says, “Jenna Buckle graduated from college with a virtually useless degree in Literary Snobbery” – therefore, the job market will be so excited that I am a literate 21-year-old who can analyze Dostoevsky and everybody will want to hire me! I am so wrong, but please smile at me encouragingly anyway!
Really, though, becoming a college freshman is serious business. My impending departure from home sends my feelings into an inextricable clash between panic and anticipation and anxiety and bliss and stress and marvel and bemusement. There is now an entirely new slate of concerns etched into my brain and although I was once called “a really chill person who doesn’t worry about anything”, I’m starting to think that maybe I’m not a really chill person who doesn’t worry about anything. And that’s pretty upsetting, especially since I get all gung-ho about absurdism and sometimes I think I’m the living incarnation of Meursault from The Stranger.
Concern One: The Seasons Are A’ Changin’
From what I’ve heard, Boston weather can and will fluctuate with the seasons. I may have read that in an informative brochure or something. They could have been a little more forward with me (i.e. Girl, our winters will whip your Southern Californian ass – love, Boston) but I get the picture either way. This is a drastic situation. I will soon be assaulted by maximum precipitation of all forms and I don’t even own anything other than flats and spaghetti-strap tops. Listen, I have no idea how to tie a scarf. I get nervous when fashion magazines tell me to layer clothing. I’ve never experienced the sensation of rain boots encasing my calves. I call those big, fluffy animal fur jackets that you find in Bloomingdale’s “big fluffy jackets” and then I wonder what I’m doing in the exotic section of the women’s department. This is definitely a plea for help.
Concern Two: Independence
Like, this is American-colonies-breaking-away-from-British-rule status. I am about to gain more independence than I would ever believe. In a month, I won’t be able to accidentally leave my hand-wash-only shirts in my mom’s laundry pile instead of mine and in a month I won’t be able to howl maniacally for my dad whenever a lightbulb in my room blows out. Going to college marks my first catapult into the real world and I would be lying if I said that the transition from high school to college doesn’t scare me. While it’s great to know that my parents will no longer be hovering over my head and that I won’t have to sit through their prolix life lesson lectures after I’ve just crammed for a calculus exam, I think I’m going to miss my folks from time to time.
Concern Three: Reinventing Myself
After joining my university’s Class of 2015 Facebook group the other day (would not recommend this if you have strong lurker tendencies), it finally struck me that the last seventeen years of my life can be herded into a giant safe labeled “null and void”. Null. And. Void. In strokes of thick, black permanent marker. Not only can I completely reinvent myself, I’ll have to completely reinvent myself. I’ve had the same group of close pals for essentially my whole life, but guess what? Now I have to convince new people to be my friends. Forging new relationships will entail stepping out of my shell and abandoning my comfort zone – which, to be honest, does not show up as a bullet point on the list of Things I Am Excellent At. Nevertheless, I am remaining sanguine about the fresh start that lies ahead. Guys, I’m already Facebook friends with ten people from my new school. Ballin’.
Been there, done that? In the same position as me? I’d love to hear your going-away-to-college stories and your advice in the comments below!
Featured image via belindapb on photobucket.com.
I’m a New Englander and go to school just outside of Boston, and my roommate freshman year was from Singapore! We had SO MUCH FUN buying her the cutest fall jackets (it gets nippy already by the end of September) and winter clothes! You’ll find that there are a ton of students coming East from Cali, so don’t worry, you’re definitely not going to be alone! Think of it as an excuse to do tons of shopping, try the theater district in Boston and then go to dinner at the cheesecake factory after!
Everyone is commenting on how beautiful fall is (and it is, definitely go for a roadtrip through Vermont/Maine in mid October to catch the amazing foliage), but look forward to white winters as well! There’s holiday decorations all over the city and ice skating as well on the Boston common. I’m amazed every year at the beautiful way snow coats trees and windows, and it’s definitely one of my favorite parts of life in New England. Especially since at college I don’t have a car and don’t EVER have to shovel!!! Good luck, and have SO MUCH FUN starting college.
I’ve never been to Boston but I do live in Michigan where the winters can be pretty brutal. Get yourself some warm clothes (as far as I know there’s no wrong way to wear a scarf), a good pair of boots and have fun playing in the snow. Honestly, it does suck a lot, but surviving winter makes spring even more amazing.
As far as the whole making friends thing, it’ll just happen. Unlike high school, there are so many people in college that you are destined to find people with similar interests and you won’t feel the need to be friends with people just because it’s convenient. Just be open to people, even those you think you won’t like. I started my freshman year really not liking a girl because of weird preconceived notions and she ended up being one of my best friends.
I’m starting college in the fall as well. I am terrified, being that I’m a kind of shy person. I go back and forth between thinking that I’m going to be awesome and everyone will want to be my friend, and thinking that I will have no friends. At all.
Boston is great! Born and raised here, went to college in NC and moved back 7 years later…I live in the North End which is a great location for young professionals. Lots of bars, lots of music. If you like sports, join Social Boston Sports or Boston Ski and Sport Club, they offer sports and outings for cheap. Soo much fun! Welcome to Boston!
Oh my…this time of year makes me wish I was going off to college with my new pens and unused notebooks all over again. As someone who has been out of college for just over a year, I’ll pass on my tidbits of knowledge.
1. Make time for fun AND studying. Seriously…college is supposed to be both, but don’t overdo either. It’s all about balance.
2. Enjoy Autumn. It really is the best season, and for the first time you’ll get to truly enjoy it. Plus…Fall clothes are the cutest.
3. Travel. Whether it’s a small roadtrip or a European excursion over winter break, take the time to see the world. Now is the BEST time for this.
4. Let go of high school. The most annoying college students are the ones who are constantly living in the past and always referencing high school and their old friends. I know you miss them sometimes, but chin up. Soon these new people that you’re meeting will be the “best friends you’ve ever had.”
5. Have fun. 4 years of college goes faster than you could ever believe, and soon you’ll be forced into the “real world.”
Buy a scarf, buy rainboots, buy a big puffy warm coat and a hat. YOU WILL NEED THEM. I would tell you to buy an umbrella, too, but the wind here in Boston pretty much renders them useless. You will find wind-torn abandoned umbrellas all over your campus. Buy one anyway and try to make sense of the various wind tunnels.
When you get on the Green Line, MOVE TOWARDS THE BACK! Don’t block the doors! There is nothing more obnoxious than freshmen who all stand at the front of the first car in a huge group while there is literally tons and tons and tons of space in the back.
Also, get a Charlie Card. They’re free and save you time and money. Just ask any T worker.
You don’t HAVE to reinvent yourself or do anything! “Just be yourself!” is cliche for a reason: it is good advice.
Go to the free events on campus, especially when it says on the flyer “partially funded by your student fees” or something like that. You already paid for it, you might as well go.
DON’T go to the school bookstore, whatever it is, they will RIP YOU OFF. Order from Amazon or rent from chegg.com. I am serious. When it comes time to sell back your books at the end of the semester, you will receive a pittance.
You know all that stuff you just said in your blog? Everyone else at the college is in exactly the same position as you whether they outwardly act like it or not. Enjoy this new experience and remember that nothing lasts forever, whether this is a good experience or a bad experience is entirely up to you and either way will have lessons for you to grow from. So have fun be safe and keep telling us about your wonderful new adventure!!!
As a fellow New Englander going to school about an hour from Boston I recommend the following:
1) Hunter rain boots w/ socks
2) North Face rain jackets with hood
3) Umbrella
If you show up at school with those three items it will be the best investment you will ever make in your education.
I feel the exact same way! I’m a recent high school grad, and I leave in a measly 11 days. Granted, I’m not going 3,000 miles from home, I’m moving from the center of a city to rural, middle-of-nowhere farm land. And that whole bit about reinventing yourself, preach it sister! I feel the exact same way. One of the things that’s comforting me is that millions of people have done the exact same thing, and they’ve come out the other end healthy. happy and successful. We can do it! Best of luck in your freshman year.
I had the exact same fears two years ago when I moved from Seattle to Massachusetts to attend college. The winters were harsher than anything I’ve ever experienced (and I’m from Seattle, city of eternal rain). Layering, layering, layering is key! When you arrive at school, just find out who is from New England and ask them for advice on how to dress. It’s informative and a great way to make new friends!
I applaud you for going to school so far away, because it forces you to really become independent. You can’t go home on the weekends when you are feeling homesick–you just have to deal and it makes you stronger. The transition will be a tough one, but ultimately you will be so happy you decided to forge a new life on the east coast. It was the best decision I ever made! Good luck. I am sure you will fall in love with Boston and whichever school you are attending.
Soia & Kyo makes adorable winter coats – super warm and functional but actually cute. They got me through my first winter in Montreal!
I’m not going as far (40 minutes away from home) but I understand everything you’re saying. It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one!
I was born and raised in New England and I can tell you that the wether is a bit bipolar. One time, I went to the mall with a friend when it was thunderstorming and when I left, it had started snowing. Be prepared for the unexpected. However, Autumn is to die for. Really. I would never want to live anywhere else if it meant sacrificing the fall season. You’ll fall in love with this place.
Don’t have expectations. Set goals for yourself, of course, but don’t read too much into the future. I’m an organized person by nature and live by my planner. At first I tried to cram in as many things as possible and didn’t enjoy anything that I was doing. Have a steady framework of must-do activities (aka. that terrible 8:15am History class) but live moment to moment for the fun things. In the end, you’ll have kick-ass grades and a handful of colorful stories to tell your friends during Thanksgiving break.
I go to college in Massachusetts as well, and I actually have a blog about college life at collegehandbook.wordpress.com
Boston, specifically, is quite a bit different from the rest of massachusetts. (Beware the Green Line – especially at rush hour times and on weekends as it is the choice source of transportation for out-of-towners). They are actually really good about plowing the snow and everything and making sure that everything is in working order, whereas if you go to the suburbs it is completely different. I’ve lived in Mass all my life, and it is definitely a shock for me to go to places like California and Florida, so I understand where you’re coming from.
For reinventing yourself, it’s not necessary. Yes you’ll have to meet new people, but you can base it off of joining clubs for interests you already have. If you love the performing arts, join a dance or theater club. If you’re a total dork, try checking out a Quidditch game (many Mass public and private universities have teams). Interested in school politics? Then you should check out your school’s Student Government Association (sometimes known as Student Senate or Student Leadership). Taking this advice will allow you to still be in your comfort zone which might help you in gaining the confidence to introduce yourself to others in the group.
I hope this helped!
I went to school in Boston and live here now. One thing to take advantage of, you will probably get free admission to the museum of fine arts with your school id. They just added an american wing and it’s fantastic. Also you will get student discounts to the museum of science and other such places.
As much as the winter sucks the fall is beautiful. Take a stroll in the public gardens or the esplanade. The city is really beautiful so enjoy!
The best advice I can give to anyone going to college is to give it time. I don’t wanna sugar coat it: you will not be comfortable right away. Just be patient and eventually you’ll find your place and your friends. It took me about a month. Also, I know studying is important, but don’t take that part too seriously. The most important parts of college happen when you’re not studying. Be open minded, try new things, meet as many new people as possible. And don’t worry too much, you’ll be fine!
Lived here my whole life, girl.
Try to start everyday with a positive attitude. Enjoy the fall, because it is BEAUTIFUL. When it starts to get really cold, buy really comfy, warm scarves. Buy a bunch of them because no only do they keep you warm, they are lovely accessories and you will be warm and fabulous. Do not, for the love of god, forget to buy gloves.
Buy lots of lotion and moisturizers because your skin will get dry if you don’t use them everyday and trust me, you will forget all about the cold and you will focus on how much your skin hurts and you will be on the next plane back home.
You can buy hand warmers, they’re little soft pouches that warm up when you rub them together and you can put them in your shoes or gloves.
Ear muffs. Again, keeping warm and look awesomely cute.
The weather can be wonderful one second and an asshole the next, but as long as you’re prepared, you will be FINE. And you may even enjoy it. Don’t spend time dreading it, because then you will hate it when it comes. Good luck!
Boston is great! Not just saying that because i was born there…i now live in Colorado. The weather can be…well a bitch yes. But there is a lot to do – music, bars, and great theater if you are into that. Boston can be scary at first, but find yourself a fun native and you will be hitting all the good spots and having blast…just get yourself some cute warm boots for the winter
Good luck!! <3
Hi enjoyed reading the above post and hey um a great piece of advice no matter what life throws at you just pick yourself up and look at it as a adventure. I mean look at going to your new college with new eyes see things not through the old you but the new you.
Plan. Plan. Plan, oh bella, plan! I’m not talking about classes and homework, I’m talking about finding awesome stuff to do! The rapid seasonal changes wreak havoc on your joyfulness (I know, I’m in Afghanistan right now!) You’re going to want some cool stuff that you enjoy that you can do when you have a bad day, because you’re on the other side of the country from your family! You’re going to Boston! One of the best (if not THE best) walking out cities in the world! Boston was designed to be walked around and seen with your own two eyes. Literally! The majority of the city’s traffic is actually underneath the city. I suggest the North End for real, the Aquarium THE SAM ADAMS BREWRY! and the like. There’s so much stuff to do, so do a little research and find some things you’ll enjoy that you can use to GET OUT OF YOUR DORM or you’ll go insane! (Also, hit up the Asgard up by MIT, great pub grub and plenty of different kinds of beers!)