By Laura Yardeni, Sean’s House Communications and PR Intern
Transitions are a part of life, whether you are transitioning into college, to a new job, or living in a new environment. Change can be scary for most people, but it can also be very exciting and lead to new opportunities. Leaning on those who are close to you is extremely important when experiencing big life transitions.
It is important to look for outside sources when you are feeling overwhelmed, because no one ever needs to feel alone. Transitions can make people feel empty or like they have no one on their side, but that does not need to be the case. There are tips that can be used to help with big life transitions.
When I graduated from high school, I was coming from a graduation class of 52 students to a university of almost 20,000 undergraduate students. The thought of this was extremely daunting. I was coming to The University of Delaware knowing no one. At my former school I spent 13 years in that environment. I grew up with both my classmates and teachers. I felt like I was entering a parallel universe and was extremely intimidated. My home friends and I had a very tight knit group and my family, and I were extremely close. I had never been away from home for more than a few days.
The day I had been dreading finally came. I got my dorm room all set up and it was time for my parents to leave. The next few days at college were the most crucial for me. I knew I needed to set aside my fears and be open to new experiences. I had to say “yes” to all the opportunities that arose. I listened to some of the “college tips” videos on Tik Tok and left my dorm room open for the first week to try and get to know everyone on my floor. This was one of the best decisions I made. I realized that everyone was in the same boat as me.
Everyone was adapting to being in a new environment and it was ok to feel uncomfortable at times. However, there are many ways to take care of your mental health in a new setting.
After experiencing one of the biggest environmental changes a student can have, I feel like I have learned several mechanisms that can help me face transitions in the future.
First, I learned that it is ok to lean on others for support and guidance. It is easy to feel alone when making a big transition. Feeling vulnerable is a normal feeling. Try to vocalize your emotions instead of bottling them up.
Second, I learned the importance of getting involved. The University of Delaware for instance is a large community, however, getting involved in different groups and organizations can make the campus feel so much smaller. It can give you a group of people to turn to for advice or even just a friendly face to say hi to in passing. Even though this may seem minimal, in the grand scheme of things it can make a greater impact.
Finally, I learned that it is ok to not be ok. Transitions are scary, at times it may not be the right environment to be in. If you are not happy, you don’t have to force a smile for anyone else. It is ok to be selfish and to listen to your personal instinct.
At the end of the day, you know yourself better than anyone. It’s ok to have hard days, and to miss the past. But don’t give up. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and if it still doesn’t feel right: it is ok.