Tips on conquering your college freshman fears

1 of 11

by Leigh Goessl

Created on: July 22, 2009 Last Updated: September 09, 2010

Freshman fears are natural feelings. If you find you're experiencing any kind of fear when heading off to college, know you aren't alone. Many other freshman are likely feeling the same way. Most first time college students feel a bit apprehensive about heading off to campus to enter this new chapter in their life.

Going to college for the first time is intimidating and, for some, can be downright scary. As a freshman you're probably full of questions and worries, many of which likely relate to uncertainty. One of the best ways to conquer these fears is to eliminate as much of the uncertainty as you possibly can.

Entering your freshman year is all about the unknown, and the more familiarized you become with your new surroundings before your first semester starts, the less worried you'll feel when the big day arrives. If you are experiencing freshman fears, here are a few tips to see if you can't overcome those nagging worries:

*Talk to a College Counselor

If your fears are academic or financial related, call and make an appointment with a college counselor at your university. Admissions, Academic and Financial Aid Counselors are more than happy to do whatever they can to help ease your transition into college life.

Counselors can help answer any unresolved questions you may have and also offer some pertinent advice in helping you get acclimated to college life. Even just one appointment can erase many of the mysteries and instill some self-confidence by clearing up some of the unknown.

*Network with Other Freshman

What better way to conquer fears than to try and overcome them with your peers? If you have the opportunity to arrive on campus early, try and see if you can't meet up with other people who are in the same boat as you are.

Even if you don't meet anyone before the first day of school, there are plenty of online college communities where you can get virtual support from other students just like yourself. Many websites such as CollegeNET are pretty supportive communities (this one is a bonus because you can compete for scholarships as well).

The first day of classes is a perfect opportunity to network with other students. See if you can't make some new friends in your classes. Keep in mind many of your new friends are likely experiencing many of the same fears, and are a good source of support because they understand everything you're going through.