Tomorrow I’m leaving home for the first time to go to university with about 4000 other students I will have never seen before. Money & studies won’t be a problem but the thing that is bothering me is fitting in. Has anyone who’s been through this got any advice about how to settle in fast?
- Be yourself, first and foremost (unless you have dreams of becoming an ax murderer, of course).
- Keep your ears open.
- Be flexible. You will encounter quite a lot of people who are way different from you. And over time, some of them will become your closest friends.
- Don’t do anything you know is stupid just to “fit in”.
- If you’re a business major, take an art class. Alternatively, if you are an art major, take a business class.
- Don’t sit on your ass. Get out there!
Good luck. Let us know how things are going.
Wartime gave some great advice!
Relax - in 6 months this will seem like a non-question, and in a couple of years, you will be getting misty-eyed thinking about leaving that great place.
Don’t forget to save a copy of your address, so you know how to get home.
Keep an open mind. But not so open that your brains fall out.
Remember that all of the other incoming freshman are in the same boat you are, and are anxious to make friends. Strike up conversations, offer to get together to prepare for exams, join a club, take a PE class, etc, etc. I dont’ know if you’ll be working, but working at a coffee shop, or a department on campus is also a great way to meet other students.
Smile a lot. And enjoy every moment!