Everyone talks about the excitement and fun that college has to offer. However, no one talks about the daunting admission process and overwhelming transition to college life. I used to get panicked by the mere thought of juggling academic responsibilities, an unfamiliar environment, travelling, and living away from home.

Preparing for college is like a mini-journey, which is frightening yet rewarding. The college transition anxiety is real—it comes with the constant urge to fit in, ace the academics, and fear of missing opportunities.

Everyone has to go through this transition at some point in their life. What matters is how you go through these situations without losing your mind. I would like to share how I overcame my college fear.

Image Credits: The Jopwell Collection from Unsplash

I remember my first day in my dorm. My parents helped me with my luggage, and they said their goodbyes. As they left, I was completely alone in my dorm, and solitude settled in.

The dorm was eerily quiet and lifeless. A whirlwind of thoughts was going around in my mind. Would I get along with my roommate? What if she didn't like me? Just when my mind was generating nonstop thoughts, the door swung open and my roommate walked in. She flashed a warm smile that instantly made me comfortable. Before I knew it, we started unpacking and decorating our dorm, and now it doesn't feel lifeless anymore. My thoughts were completely gone, and my mind was at ease. I assumed that my college fear had gone, and it was all in my head—Until the first few weeks of college started.

The first day of my college was chaotic. I woke up early, had breakfast, packed my bag, and left for my class. I was a bit excited and nervous at the same time. As I walked through the campus, I got surrounded by a sea of unfamiliar faces, which made me more uncomfortable and nervous, but somehow I managed to find my classroom.

When I entered my class, it was almost full. I awkwardly took a seat on the last bench, which was fortunately empty, and resorted to fake scrolling through Instagram to avoid any interactions. Then the teacher walked in, introduced herself, and proceeded to ask us to introduce ourselves—worst nightmare for an introvert like me.

As I listen to my classmates sharing their names and stories. I started preparing my introduction in my head. When my turn finally came, I was a bit anxious; however, I surprised myself by smoothly delivering my introduction like a pro, but my face betrayed me.

I had no idea where to look or what to do with my hands. Somehow, I survived my first day. It was mentally exhausting.

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My first week in college was nothing but exhausting and overwhelming; every task felt like finding a needle in a haystack. Every difficult task used to remind me of my easy life when I was with my parents. All the time, I was living in the past, hoping that I hadn't left my home in the first place.

I desperately tried to fit in, but it seems like I didn't belong here. I always try to be ahead of my classmates.

Establishing a routine felt like climbing a mountain after leaning on my parents my entire life. At first, it was difficult to follow a routine. I tried to plan my entire day in the morning, but at the end of the day, I wasn't able to complete some of my tasks, which demotivated me.

Gradually, I began to know that I was being harsh on myself throughout this journey. Slowly, I adapted my routine and instead of competing with my classmates, I focused on proving my worth to others. I started to work on myself.

With each day passing by, I grew more accustomed to my new life. I realized that I was being too harsh on myself. I gave myself more time, and as this is my first time living this journey, I became more patient with myself, which helped me grow.

What I Did During my Journey:

During my journey, I made some changes that transformed my experience.

1. I learned to be patient with myself instead of pressuring myself.

2. I simplify my life by establishing a routine that includes journaling, planning, exercising, and managing my academics effectively.

3. Instead of cutting myself off, I began engaging with my classmates.

4. I learned to adapt and find comfort in my environment, rather than letting anxiety take over.

5. I let go of homesickness and find comfort in my dorm, accepting that moving out is simply a part of life.

6. Rather than overthinking every little moment, I choose to go with the flow. It’s all about enjoying the journey.

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What I Learned in This Mini-Journey:

Starting the college journey can feel pretty intimidating, but let’s be real—it’s not as overwhelming as it may seem at first. It's all our minds playing games; instead of being insecure, we should be able to control our thoughts. Adapting to a whole different environment is difficult, but at the end of the day, we have to get used to it.

So instead of being harsh, we should take small, manageable steps to get over our fears. Remember, the fear won't fade away if you wait for them to go. It's our duty to take action that truly helps us to move forward.

On the first day, everyone around is fighting their inner demons just like you; they are just better at putting on a facade. Instead of overthinking every small step, just go with the flow and trust yourself, and instead of being hard on yourself, have fun and embrace this new journey with an open mind—allow yourself to drift down the river.

Each day presents new opportunities and lessons, and you will slowly discover that college is not about academics; it's about growing alongside a bunch of people who are just as lost as you are and are just as excited as you are. Take a deep breath, stop overthinking, and start enjoying your journey!