I'm really scared about college, I need advice please?

Wow, you have a scholarship, top of your class even though you hated it. College is different that high school. The biggest thing is that you have tto be a self starter and it sounds like you are that. You know how to study. you have friends. Being shy is hard. And let me tell you, most people won't admit that they are scared because it is not cool to say they are afraid. Sounds to me like you were made for college. You can find a job, a place to live - dorms aren't bad at all - , maybe you don't need a car. I did all that and I survived. So did my husband, and both my kids. How far away will you be from home? are your friends going to the same place? Do you have amajor in mind - although I think 18 is too young to have to declare - so if you change your mind later don't worry about it. There are resources on campus too - if you need to talkto someone there are people who can help you. Just stay away from the sex drugs and rocknroll. I am sure you will do well and live up to the challenge. Acknowledging and then conquering your fears is a sign of maturity . ConnyOL

You might think about simplifying things a bit. Your car could be a bicycle, and the apartment a dormitory room. That's how most of us handled it; you've got enough to think about besides worrying about the electric bill and parking spaces. Your college is quite good at helping kids who feel precisely like you do: it's their business to do so. Professors recognize kids who are scared and won't take advantage of them. On the other hand, it's up to you to take personal responsibility: nobody will be keeping track of you, so you must make sure that you do every assignment and attend every class. Every single one. Study by yourself, and recognize that education is inherently a lonely process that can't be aided by hanging out in the library with your friends. It's you, the book, the blackboard, the teacher, and the assignment: accept no substitutes. Make sure that your friends there are selected from people with the same philosophy, and stay strictly away from the bars and the parties. That said, there's plenty of opportunity for making friends and just being with other people. You can have a lot of fun, and a great many kids who were scared to death in high school really blossomed in college. And if the worst happens and you really weren't ready for college, your scholarship isn't sacred. Go off and work and travel on your own, and make plans to come back to school later.

I started last Aug. My situation is different from yours because I was going back as a 40+ year old. But I had some of the same fears. I was afraid I'd feel very awkward because I was so much older than everyone else and that all the kids would be laughing up their sleeves at me. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to cut the academics since it had been so long since I'd been in school. I was worried about the whole campus thing - I'd never been on a campus before in my life. I was afraid the professors would be hard on me because I was so much older. I was afraid my financial aid wouldn't come through in time or I would lose it somehow. I've figured out that I have an issue with fear. If it isn't one thing, it will definitely be another. So the problem isn't really all the things I've been afraid of, I just have a habit of fear. I try to deal with that by taking apart the things I am afraid of to reduce them to the bare bones and answer it. Anything that's vague or out of my control I have to concentrate on choosing to let it go. Anything I can't change, I can't fear either. It's a waste of my emotional energy, and I don't have any to spare. ;-) What I found once I was in school, though, was that none of the things I feared happened. The kids are not automatically friendly with me. I AM old enough to be their parent. But once we get into class and they find out I'm very down to earth and friendly, they are friendly in return. I've also made a couple of good friends with students my own age. I don't have to be friends with everyone on campus. But one thing about college, there are a lot more people to choose from to be friends with. You're much more likely to find someone to fit in with at college than in high school. I've also gotten along very well with my professors. But I also work at it. I make it a point to sit close to the front and in front of the professor. I learn better that way and it allows me to interact. I ask questions if I need to understand something and I participate in class discussion. I make it a point to be friendly to the professors, without brown-nosing. They are not allowed to fraternize with students, so I'm not going to be good friends. But I just want to have a positive relationship because it certainly can't hurt! I also found I hadn't lost a thing in the years since school. I do as well in college as I ever did; maybe better. You probably will to. One thing that's perhaps different about college is that professors tend to want to make sure you can understand and apply the material, not just memorize and reproduce facts and figures. Essay questions are common. But if you know the material and are able to reason, you should do fine. They are not expecting Pulitzer Prize-quality prose. I've found I love campus life. Even though I'm not part of the social life of the young people, it's still a fun and friendly environment. I just like everything about it. And my financial aid came through fine and I'm busily adding to it with a killer GPA and honors. All-in-all, I've found college to be extremely rewarding and enjoyable. I almost feel like I'm cheating. Life isn't supposed to be this fun. ;-) One thing that has helped me walk away from fears is realizing that the time is going to pass one way or another and what is going to happen will happen. I can choose to spend the time between now and then with my stomach in a knot, not sleeping, and plagued by headaches from fear. Or I can relax and choose to let tomorrow happen then, and I'll enjoy now in the meantime since I can't fix tomorrow anyway. If your mom is afraid for you, her fear can be infectious. See if you can focus on the positive possibilities. One other thing that occurs to me, as far as leaving friends behind -- this is very common in the transition between high school and college. Pretty much everyone experiences it. But growing away from friends as you gain new ones is not the same as being abandoned by friends and left alone. IF you grow away from the friends you have now it will only be because you have gained a whole new world of friends and an entirely different social life. It may be a little bittersweet, but it won't be horrible because it's more positive than negative. Good luck! I think you're going to do great.

College there are more freedoms. Depending on where your at you wont have to leave campus unless your going home. Not only that but there are hundreds of groups you can be a part of, organizations. Its not so much of this clicky stereo type enviroment. Im very shy and didnt make any college frinds until I went to a university. I sat outside and discussed US policies with a cowboy republican and liberal purpled hair girl on break . Your there to learn and have a good time. In college when someone makes fun of you, its on equal ground becuase the real world is only 4 years away and as we get older those attitudes change...not for all, but for most I think. Being shy it may take some time but you will find a friend...maybe someone who feels just like you do. I loved college becuase thats where I learned to shed my shy skin and be given the opportunity to learn more and expect more of myself. Try to think of those reasons why you want to be in college and use those things to get you through that first year. If it is still something you dont want to do, take some time off or attend a jr. college close to home until your ready to go back. I wish you luck and good times in the years ahead for you!

I felt the same way when I started college. For the first week I still felt that way. After that I adjusted, made some friends and loved it. You'll be OK. Try not to worry so much.

Anything new is going to be a little scary, but try to think of it as a new adventure. You sound to me like you will actually do well in college. High school has a lot of distractions where you will find college is more conducive for learning. After a couple of weeks, once you get a groove going, you'll be fine. Just keep up with the studying, it's a lot tougher in college to catch up if you get behind. You'll do great, just work hard, take a few breaks here and there to have some fun and enjoy the experience.

college is more difficult than high school but its not a totally radical change, if you're top of your class you could probably handle it keep up with the reading and the topics ... all nighters are a ***** and pay attention in class - yes obvious but its true also you dont need to worry so much

more work and more responsibility but a great time overall

collage sex drugs an rockandroll