10 Last-minute tips for going off to college/university

Some words of advice on how to make the transition easier

1. You can always call home.

2. Homesickness is a reality. It happens to everyone. It’s usually worst the third day. Everyone is feeling homesick. So don’t sulk; go meet them.

3. Stay active. Go for a jog, study, explore all the nooks and crannies of your school.

4. Get involved. Volunteer. Even if you’re not a joiner, join. Go. It will help you find what you want to do, and have a little fun on the side.

5. Journal. Write your goals, your dreams, your fears. (It’s better than Twitter because you can look back easily and see how far you’ve come).

6. Pray. Go to Sunday Mass at least. Growing up is hard, and you will need grace, strength, fortitude, wisdom, courage, and humor to get through it. Prayer and the Eucharist are the swiftest means of acquiring all these gifts. Also, if you feel stuck ask the Blessed Mother for help. She will help. She always does.)

More to read: A student’s prayer for the start of a new school year  

7. Ask others to go with you to meals so you don’t eat alone. Go along when someone says, “Hey, I’m going to lunch…”

8. Write a schedule every day, or at least a to do list. Organization will help structure your day and prevent boredom. (Plus, it’s preparation for life after college, no matter what career or vocation you choose.)

9. Ask someone about his home and about his hopes. Listen to what he says. The easiest way to create friendship is to be kind to someone else and right now, every freshman and transfer is homesick (see tip 2). Creating community comes from shared experiences, shared goals, and shared lives. It also takes time. It will happen. Trust that it will.

10. Be yourself. You’re pretty awesome. Your family knows you can do this. So no worries.

- See more at: http://aleteia.org/2016/08/29/10-last-minute-tips-for-your-child-going-off-to-college/#sthash.AqNNsFSh.dpuf

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