One of the hardest things to deal with when it comes to the transition from high school to college is the mass amount of freedom you have. I have seen it time and time again living in residence halls and just being around people I know. Freedom is a big thing. and you have to know how to handle it without getting crushed in the end.
Set your priorities
In college all is fun in fun, but make sure you remember why you are paying thousands a year on college. Don’t let your grades slip because it’s hard to make up for it later.
Sober fun is the best fun
Don’t let anyone tell you drinking and drugging is the only way to have fun in college. They are lying to you and don’t give into peer pressure. Sure, a bit of drinking is okay when you are old enough to do so, but don’t let anyone tell you that is the only way to make friends. Stay sober and stay out of trouble.
You can’t always help everyone
Sometimes you have to take a step back and get more help than you can offer. I know you have fallen in love with your new college friends, but you aren’t sheltered anymore and some of them can have some issues out of your reach. It’s okay to reach out to an RA or talk to them about seeking help on campus (there are tons of resources on campus!) Just keep them in your thoughts because sometimes that is all you can do.
It’s okay to be a party pooper
If you don’t feel comfortable in a situation or you just want out of it that is okay. Labels like party pooper aren’t even important to be honest. You have the right to know your boundaries and implement them.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your parents/an adult you care for
If you find yourself trapped in the glass of freedom, don’t be afraid to reach out to your parents. I know this is the last thing you want to do. You don’t want to admit to falling trap to too much freedom. I promise your parents will be way more supportive than you think they will be. Better to tell them before you get your final grades, than they day they are posted online. If you need help your parents deserve to know, they want to be there for you. They would climb the highest mountain for you; just let them.
I hope these tips on handling the freedom helped you out a lot.
