Dreading College

[Jess]

Yeah, I'm not like most teens. Most teens are excited for college, excited to be independent and live away from their parents. Well, I'm not like that AT ALL. I don't want to live in a dorm room and share it with someone I don't know. It would be better if I had a room to myself, but I doubt I could get one.

I don't want to wake up by myself and walk to my classes (who knows how far I have to walk). I don't want to deal with the stupid bus schedule. And worst of all, the FOOD. I am extremely picky, and I don't like the food that is served at the university I'm going to. I want to eat the dinner my mom makes...I know I can't have that though.

that being said, I'm not looking forward to graduating/graduation either.

[Jupiter]

i am already not looking forward to my college. i'm dependent on my family, and.. well, i just don't want to leave them.

[Jess]

i am already not looking forward to my college. i'm dependent on my family, and.. well, i just don't want to leave them.

that's exactly how I feel!

my mom made the suggestion that I live at home and she drives me everyday except weekends to college. I like that idea, but the problem is, that's using up a lot of money for gasoline, and she also no longer likes that suggestion.

[Jupiter]

well, you might be homesick for a while, but i think you might get the hang of it.

[Ambrosia]

Take it from me, it won't be easy. I'm well nearing the end of my second semester of college and have only just become independent from my family. It was a long hard road to bring myself to the end of, but now that I'm finally here it's so nice.

It's scary to be graduating, you're heading towards a new world. This is something we all embark on (Or, most of us do. My uncle didn't move out until he was 40!). The thing is that your parents have raised you for this day to come (You moving out) and I'm sure they aren't happy about it either. But that's what they have spent the past how ever many years teaching you for. You won't be going away to college immediately after graduation, I'm sure. So spend the next few months of summer preparing yourself. Spend a few days away from home, go sleep at a friends house or something. Slowly ween yourself from sleeping at home. This is what I had to do. I was so strongly dependent on my parents by the time graduation was approaching that I was scared to death of my future. I knew I would have to be moving out pretty quickly after starting (I attend a local college). I started staying away from home more often, becoming used to not seeing my parents. I stopped having to eat at home, since I was making my own money. I weened myself off my parents home cooked dinner, off the sound of them in the living room when I went to bed. Eventually, the time came when I realized I needed to leave. It was hard, I cried, and it took me more than a day to move my stuff out. I slept at home one of the nights my stuff was in my apartment. I went home every day for the next week. It made it harder on me that I kept going back, so in a way you just moving away is going to make it better.

It won't be as bad as you think. You will eventually enjoy your independence, it will make you feel more grown up to be away. You may not realize it now, but once you no longer have a curfew, no longer have chores, and have your own set of rules you create for yourself, you'll be proud of yourself. It's just one step closer to being what you're parents have been raising you for. A strong independent person.

Good luck and remember we are always here when you need to talk to us! You won't be alone :)

[wildone016]

My cousin said its awesome. Just to find friends like you are.

[Jess]

My cousin said its awesome. Just to find friends like you are.

I'm bad at making friends because I don't (like) talking


I still rather not live on campus. :/

[Jean Poutine]

Pay back your mom's gas.

[Jess]

Pay back your mom's gas.

what? why? She never asks me to do that

[Jean Poutine]

Then she won't dislike the idea so much.

[Jess]

she never asked my older brother...

and besides, what does this have to do with my dreading college?

[Jean Poutine]

Doesn't have to be asked to be proposed. Money smoothes all reticences.

And it fixes you having to deal with the bus schedule and living on campus, if your mom likes the idea again. Can't do anything about the walking though (which is not so terrible as your classes should be in the same building or thereabouts). As for the food, bring your own lunch.

[Jess]

I guess that would work. But I don't have a job. I'm not planning to get one during the school year...over the summer, maybe....

[Carly011]

Have you ever thought about going to community college and living at home? or maybe go to a college and get an apartment of campus so you can make your own food and have your own room.

[Jess]

Yeah I have, but...community colleges aren't exactly the best...and it seems like my mom already has set on the fact that I am going to Pitt. :/

[Carly011]

You can always complete your generals at community college and then see how you feel when those are done.

Or go to the college you want to and get an off campus apartment. I know how you feel, i HATED dorm room living. I finally decided to come back and do my generals at community college and then transfer to another college and get an apartment.

Dont let your mom push you into a college you dont like or wont be happy at

[this_kids_a_DJ]

College is a great experience! I was very scared to go, I am generally a very timid person and I was scared that I would not make any friends. But I was wrong! I tried to be more social here and made friends with lots of people in my building and also joined the Marching Band, which is an automatic 400 friends right there :P

Needless to say college is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Don't be scared take it with open arms and if you ever have any questions feel free to ask. I am only a Freshman but I think I know enough :)

[Thunduhbuhlt]

Watch the American Pie movies and hope that that is what college is like for you. :P

But really, college will be way worth it in the long run, just go at it, and have fun!