My First Few Days Of College

The boot of the car was full to be brim on Sunday afternoon with bags and bags of my belongings.  Surprisingly enough I had slept well the night before and was now ready to just get in the car and go.  The journey up to the college flew by and on a few occasions we passed other cars in which the back seats were bulging with duvet covers and pillows: a true sign of a college kid!

Unfortunately I didn't get a place in on-campus accommodation so I'm now staying in Diggs.  At first I was a little unsure of how this would work out, living with a family I didn't know seemed a bit strange to me and I didn't know how well I was going to fit in.  I needn't have worried though because the family I am staying with are so lovely and they make me feel right at home!  Once my parents had left me behind and started the journey back home there was a discussion of dinner, the usual family thing.  What were we going to eat?  After much deliberation it was decided that we would just get takeaway.  I wasn't complaining at all and so we indulged in Apache pizza and a nice glass of wine.  (There were no children around at the time.)  It was a great way to be welcomed into the household.

The next morning I was a bag of nerves!  I had been relatively calm the night before but now it was starting to feel a bit real.  I had to force myself to eat breakfast and remember how to get going properly.

Step 1:  Eat breakfast.

Step 2:  Figure out what food you need to bring for lunch.

Step 3:  Figure out what you're going to wear and dress yourself.

Step 4:  Put on a bit of makeup to make yourself look someway decent and brush your teeth.

Step 5:  Leave the house and try to make your way to the campus without getting lost.

Once I arrived at campus everyone in my orientation group were already chatting away to eachother and I felt so lost and worried I wouldn't be able to mix with anyone.  When orientation went on throughout the day everyone conversed with eachother with the usual questions:  What's your name, where are you from, what are you studying etc. and I realised I was going to be ok.  Everyone was in the same boat and didn't know that many people either so I wasn't alone and I met a lot of genuinely nice people.  Making new friends was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Overall orientation was overwhelming.  There were so many talks to go to and so much information to absorb.  I began to panic thinking that maybe college wouldn't be for me.  Had I made a huge mistake?  It wasn't a nice feeling but I think it's normal to feel that way.  I've only spent two days in college.  I need to give myself a chance but I'm now really looking forward to this semester.

Another worry of mine was going out at night.  Because I didn't really know that many people I didn't know whether to go to any of the night time events in fear of being on my own.  I ended up going to a Lock and Key night with a few girls I had met during orientation and we actually had a really good night.  If anyone else finds themselves in this sort of situation I would say to go to as many events as possible.  As I was told, you're only a first year once and you will definitely find people to hang around with and enjoy yourself with.

I'm going to finish up this post now because it's a lot longer than I thought it would be.  Stay tuned for more updates and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

Questions I Get Asked Before I Leave For College

I'm counting down the days until I leave for college.  3 days to be exact.  I can't wait!  As the time gets nearer and nearer I get more excited but my parents get more nervous.  Lately they've been asking me a lot of questions making sure that I am fully prepared for college life and also to give themselves some piece of mind.  Here's a little taster of the questions I get asked!

1) Do you have everything you need?:  I reply the same way I did the last fifty times I've been asked this question.  I think I have everything but could you be more specific because at the same time I'm not sure.

2) Do you have enough clothes?:  A girl can never have enough clothes but I think I have enough to get by.

3) Do you have a decent pair of shoes?  You'll be doing a lot of walking:  What exactly do you mean by a decent pair of shoes?

4) What if it rains?  Then I'll bring an umbrella.

5) Do you have enough paracetamol, plasters etc.?:  Yes but you're probably going to pack a first aid kit for me anyway.

6) Is there a doctor on campus?:  Yes.

7) Is there an ATM nearby?:  Yes.

8) Do you have enough credit on your phone?:  Yes and I'll top up if I need to.

9) Do you know anyone else going to the same college?:  Not really, but then again college is for making new friends!

10) Do you know you're way around campus?:  I'll get to know my way around.  Don't worry, in a few weeks I'll know the campus like the back of my hand!

11) Do you know where the nearest supermarket is?:  Of course, I wouldn't go anywhere without knowing where Aldi/Lidl are.  They are a college students best friend.

12) You won't stay out late every night, will you?:  It's college.  I'm a fresher.  Nuff said!

13) How much food do you need to bring?:  Not much.  There's a supermarket nearby.

14) You won't buy food on campus everyday, will you?:  I don't think I will be able to afford that but that Starbucks will tempt me.

15) Do you have enough stationary?:  Yes and I'll get more if I need it.

16) Do you have enough towels and bed sheets?:  Yes.

17) Do you need anymore bags to carry all your belongings?:  I think at this stage I have more bags than belongings.

18) Do you know what time the buses run?:  Yes don't worry I won't miss the bus.

19) Do you have your registration sorted out?:  Yes, almost.

20) Are there any more fees to be paid?:  Not that I know of for the moment.

So there are 20 questions (whoa!) that I get asked regularly since I'm going to college soon.  I think I may have missed out on a few but you get the picture.  Households get so busy this time of year you'd swear the whole family were heading off to college.  With all the fuss my parents are making you'd think I was moving to Alaska and not just two hours up the road.  My mother even bought me an extendable swat to keep all the bugs away!

I hope you enjoyed this post and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

How To Deal With Over-Protective Parents

Over-protective parents are something many of us have to deal with at some stage in our lives.  We are always told that they are only looking out for us but it comes to the stage when you just get annoyed and frustrated with them.  You need your parents to understand that you can look after yourself.  The obvious response it to storm off and slam every door behind you.  That doesn't really help the situation so I thought in todays post I would give you a few tips on how to deal with over-protective parents.

1) Use indoor voices and listen:

If we are finding it difficult to get our point across to our parents we think the louder we say it the more it will sink in.  This isn't the case.  Use your indoor voice when speaking and remember to also listen to your parents.  Take in both sides of the argument and then you can compromise.  It's easier said than done but just give it a try!

2) Be organised:

Parents can be over-protective if they think we can't look after ourselves so we need to prove to them that we can.  Try to keep your room clean so they can't nag you about being untidy.  If your heading off to college like me make a list of everything you'll need before you go so your parents won't constantly ask you if you need anything else.

3) Earn their trust:

If your parents let you go out at the weekend don't go crazy and come home late or ignore all their calls.  If your going to college for the first time don't go on a rampage now that you have newfound freedom.  Your parents will only worry more and trust you less.  Try to act responsible but enjoy yourself at the same time.

4) Reassure your parents:

My parents are always reminding me that they are only at the other end of the phone if I need them.  They are always reassuring me especially now that I'm heading off to college on my own.  They don't want me to feel nervous or worried, which I'm not, but I'm sure they are.  At times the tables have to be turned and it's up to the teenager to reassure the parents.  If your worried about something tell them but if your not and you feel perfectly fine tell them that too.  Let them know that you are ready to move on and that you know they are there for you if you need them.

5) Keep you parents in the loop:

You don't need to tell your parents every single detail of your life even though they might ask for it.  Let them know what your up to because they will only worry if kept in the dark.

I hope you found this post helpful and you now know how to deal with over-protective parents.  If you can think of any other tips let me know because I'm currently struggling in this department and until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!