Care Bear Cares: Adjusting to your new “home” at Gettysburg

Posted By Caroline Rubin on Oct 3, 2012 | 2 comments

If you’re dealing with a problem with classes, friends or anything else on campus, odds are someone else at Gettysburg is having a similar problem. So rather than confide in your parents or reliable best friend, why not publish your personal problems for all the world to see!? It’s like when you go up to your professor with a question, and he or she insists that you ask so the entire class can hear in case other students have the same question. My name is Caroline, and, hey!—I care! If you have a problem relating to school, friends, relationships, etc., go ahead and over-share. I will keep your identity a secret, and I might even be able to help! Email me your questions at rubica01@gettysburg.edu and I will answer a different question every Monday! Help me to help you. Let’s start over-sharing.

Dear Care Bear,

I’m a freshman, and after about a month here, I can now say that I’ve met a lot of people, made friends, and oriented myself to the culture of Gettysburg College. Even though I am adjusting to life here and enjoying things for the most part, I still don’t feel fully comfortable or immersed in college life the way I felt back home. What’s worse is it feels like everyone else is completely adjusted but me.

Sincerely,

New to College

Dear NTC,

I would like to first reassure you that what you are feeling is very normal, and you are not alone in your struggle. Starting college means making an adjustment to a very different lifestyle than you’re used to. In fact, you’d be surprised to learn that many of your fellow students who appear calm and collected to you are having similar problems.

What I would say to do is make sure you are seeking out clubs and activities that interest you, so that you can meet people with whom you have things in common. That way, you have a network of friends that extends beyond your floor. Beyond that, the best way to be comfortable is to act comfortable. It’s hard to come to a strange place with all new people and not have a familiar “home” to return to at the end of the day. A great thing to do is to get into the mindset that your floor is your home, and it’s your special place to unwind.

And just because you live with all your friends now does not mean you no longer have the right to occasionally relax by being alone and reading a book or watching T.V. As far as growing more comfortable with new people goes, you’ll find that the sooner you relax about things, the sooner you’ll be more comfortable with the people around you, and before you know it, you will feel as comfortable with your new friends as you are with your friends from home. One last thing to remember is to make sure you are not holding yourself back. Be yourself and let others know who you truly are.

Your friend,

Care Bear