Is college really as frightening as everyone says?

Hi Ben!

This is a great question, many people have un easiness when doing something new in life. College is one of the best times in any person's life because you learn a lot about yourself, people and the world around you. The one main piece of advise I can give you is try not to worry too much and enjoy the time you are there. Make quality friends, enjoy doing different things, learn a variety of subjects and rate your favorites, join campus clubs in areas of your interest where you will meet like minded people and most of all keep and open mind!

One day these will be the days you will so dearly cherish. Make the most of it!

Good luck Ben!! Cheers to your future.

-Mark Prakash

Hi Benjamin,

I definitely think that most people have an overall positive experience with going to college. Sure, it's tough learning to make new friends, potentially living away from family and paying for expenses on your own but you will learn so much about yourself and learn what you true values in life are.

I was terrified to go to college because I am the type of person who doesn't enjoy getting out of my comfort zone. I went to school only two hours away and that was plenty far for me! However, because of that experience I have in five years moved four different times to various cities across the US and am so happy to see the world from such a different perspective.

Hi Ben,

I would agree that College can be frightening especially if you are relocating to a new place and living on campus, which most college students do. When I went to college in the United States, I was 18 and moved from Europe. My parents remained a 10-hour flight away from me and so did most of my friends. Everything around me was new and different from before: from simple things like the electric outlets, to the humidity in the air, to the way young people dressed and even the drinking age (21 years old in the US, but 18 in most countries in Europe).

I think everyone's biggest fear, even if you did not move from very far is: will I fit in? I recall that during the first days in college, the college organized a lot of programs to help us with orientation and all of them said that the 4 years of college education are the years when you make the most friends. So they are critical both personally and professionally. While there is a lot of truth in that, you should not fear that a) you won't make friends in college or b) that you won't make friends later (in graduate school, at work, in your neighborhood etc.)

I would advise joining clubs or activities that you like so you meet like-minded friends but also staying open to those who are different from you and happen to study at the same college. Being in college is your chance to get to know all kinds of people, even though you may not and would not like all of them. In that respect, college may be frightening but it is great preparation for life!