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In four months, many of the AISJ seniors, including me, will be in the middle of their IB exams. In five months, we’ll have graduated, and in eight, many of us will be in our first year of college. While the prospect of leaving home for the first time and taking charge of our lives is exciting, it can also be terrifying. And as we approach graduation, all the challenges that come with adulthood seem more and more real. Class of 2022, while pre-college nerves are completely normal, here are some tips to manage your anxiety about the future.
1. Make the most of time with your family
For many of you, the prospect of leaving your family might be one of your biggest concerns. This feeling isn’t limited to you – parents are humans, too, and it’s likely that they’re hiding a lot of grief right now. Although you’ll be able to visit them throughout the school year, make sure you savor the time you have with them before leaving: You can look at baby photos together, plan a short trip if you can… the options are endless.
2. Learn the basics of cooking, cleaning, and budgeting
Although you’ve probably been performing a lot of housekeeping tasks in high school already, make sure to brush up on all the skills you need to live on your own: Cook a meal with your friends to practice, do the laundry with your parents more often, and talk to them about finances: Will you be working in college? Will you be receiving an allowance? How much can you spend in a week?
3. Research and plan (but not too much)
Spontaneity is part of the fun, and nothing ever goes exactly as planned – so don’t assume that you can prepare for everything that happens in college. However, if you’re feeling nervous, you can start researching clubs you might be interested in joining, connect with other students on social media, or start buying what you need for your dorm. Personally, I know I’ll be spending a lot of time in July and the start of August on Pinterest.
In the end, make sure to keep your worries into perspective – you’re leaving home and learning to take care of yourself for the first time, all with the added pressure of new classes. It’s natural to be nervous. Hopefully, these tips will keep your worries at ease and help you have the best vacation of your life.
