Everything that happens during your first 24 hours at college

You’ve packed the car and drove to the city. Now what?

Your first 24 hours at college can be hectic, a little nerve wracking, but ultimately a day of optimism

The first people you meet are the gleeful and perky helpers that aid you in unloading, (or just to do the heavy lifting). A significant milestone comes next, meeting your roommate with an awkward smile and wave, or if you were feeling comfortable, a hug. Hey, you’ll be sleeping in the same room as each other for nine months so might as well get close now.

It’s so strange to put the Facebook profile picture and name to an actual living breathing person. Even though they seem unfamiliar now, they’ll become almost all too familiar within a few short weeks of living together.

Possibly the toughest and most practical portion of the day comes with the moment of pause as to where in the world everything you have brought’s supposed to go. You knew dorm rooms were small… but this small?

Also, splitting up the room between you and your roommate will be an over-polite mess.

The point at which this will all feel real and not just like a week at summer camp is the unsettling and cliche goodbye to your parents, and the subtle realization that home will continue on without you. It’s not for a weekend, or even a week, but possibly months. This is when you realize you’ll actually have to start somewhat ‘adulting’ and that you have actual independence.

Post-parental goodbye, you climb back up to your dorm and decide to finally go meet the people you’ll be surrounded by for the next nine months. The girl next door may seem a little odd, but you will learn to appreciate her quirks. The first meal will come next, and you’ll round up the small group you have met so far.

There’s a moment of pause as you grab for the tray, is this the right way to do it? Hesitation is everywhere and you will grab the first thing you see and realize later that it was the worst item on the menu.

Your evening will be taken up by exploring your new home with these still foreign, new people and all of you will be just a little lost, but at least you are not lost alone. This is not going to be you memorizing the campus in one night, but will get you a little more comfortable. And a little more confident that you at least can find the building your first class is in on Monday.

Finally, going to bed the first night will be the loneliest you have felt in a long time. Thoughts will probably roam around your head. Will this work? Is this where you should be? Don’t overthink it though, and know this is where you should be.  It’s the start to something wonderful.

So, power through the inevitable uncomfortable moments. Stay excited. And do not forget that you are not alone in this incredible new journey.