Coming to college is overwhelming, even for returning students. There’s packing to do, arrangements to make, schedules to put in order and shopping to get done. In addition to stress there is also excitement. You get to make new friends and see old ones. Depending on your personality, this may come easily or with great difficulty for you.
For some it is easy to get involved in school, new friends and the excitement of college life. Sometimes calling home or keeping in touch with high school friends can be a challenge, or the last item on your to-do list. For others it is the first thing they think of, and they have more Skype sessions than classes.
No matter which attitude you are more inclined to take, eventually there comes a time in the school year when things get crazy. You start to feel overwhelmed, and making time for your old friends and family can become a chore rather than a highlight of your day.
However, we The Threefold Advocate encourage you to make the effort to stay in touch with friends and family back home. This seemingly small and simple task is actually quite meaningful, to you as well as the person you are keeping in touch with. This communication can provide you with someone familiar to seek advice from, confide in and find respite in from the stresses of school. They can even provide an outlet with which to share positive news, not just bad.
Maybe you get countless text messages from home, or never hear from some of your best childhood friends. A simple message to mom telling her what you are doing will truly brighten her day. A handwritten letter to a friend with his or her favorite candy thrown in can make a huge difference in that friend’s life. Receiving mail or a care package is always fun, and there are many ways to send inexpensive gifts.
Moving from high school to college, or even returning to school after a summer away, can be challenging. Suddenly you must adjust to new people, in a new environment. Keeping in touch with those friends from high school or your summer job can help make the transition easier, because, most likely, you are both having similar experiences. Because of this, you can relate to each other and find a source of comfort when you feel like no one else can relate.
It is easy to get caught up in school and your school life, but keeping in touch with friends and family back home is something worth taking the time to do.