Adjusting to a New Environment: Tips to ease first semester jitters
Life can be so unexpected sometimes. It can send you somewhere you never imagined you would end up. Adjusting to a new environment is scary and nerve wracking. If you think you are the only one experiencing these jitters you are wrong. Everyone at some point in their lives have had to adjust to a new environment. Whether this new environment is a new town, school, or workplace, here are a few simple tips to feel at ease with your new lifestyle.
Find Friends
Life comes at you fast, so you have to act fast as well. My first step in creating a less intimidating new situation is to find a friend within the first week. This way you are going through the process slightly less lonely and have someone to open up to. This friend can be your roommate, classmate, neighbor, or someone you met on the train. No matter what, find someone to express your feelings to and to talk to every now and then. It will keep you sane.
Operate with Optimism
Go into this new territory with an open mind. Be optimistic because you never know what life will throw your way – both good and bad. Going into a new setting with an open mind will allow you to give it a chance without making a negative judgment right from the beginning.
Design Your Space
Decorate your house or room so it becomes your safe place. Having a place to decompress and relax is helpful at the end of the day.
Say Yes
Saying yes creates so many opportunities and puts you in positions you would have never been in. By saying yes often you can be more productive and try new things. I promise you will meet so many people along the way and come to love your new life. Never forget, everything happens for a reason.
While you may have never have imagined being where you are right now, you can make the best of it. There is something good to be found in everything, you may just have to go looking. I hope you find it and love it!
About the author
Katie Underwood
Katie Underwood is a sophomore at The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She is working towards earning her bachelor’s degree in Communications along with a minor in Business. Katie is also a part of the sorority of Kappa Alpha Theta on campus. In her free time, she works at a local boutique and enjoys spending time with friends and family. She is also a Pearson Campus Ambassador on her campus.
Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog? If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!
