How To Survive As An Out-Of-State Student

By Rawan AbuShaban on September 11, 2014

For some of us, moving away from our homes and families to become an out-of-state student may seem daunting. For others, it’s an exciting opportunity to reinvent themselves.

Everybody has their own opinion about their decision to spend the next four years in a new place, but every out-of-state student has to face the same challenges that come with it.

One of the greatest immediate difficulties for most out-of-state students is readjusting and getting to know the area and learning to be a local. Where am I? What’s the culture like? What’s in fashion? How’s the weather like? What sports teams should you root for? And why do people keep saying “hella?”

(Image source: summer.berkeley.edu)

First, explore. You’ll have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with your university campus, so take the time to wander about your neighborhood. Which restaurants look good? Which streets are well-lit at night, and which look shady? Don’t be hesitant to use public transportation – just bring a map (or better yet, use Google Maps).

Become a tourist. Once you build a mental atlas of your surroundings, it’ll be easy to navigate and move from place to place.

In a few weeks, you’ll be proud of yourself when somebody stops and asks you directions – not only do you give them flawless, detailed answers, but your apparent mastery of the local infrastructure will make you look like a native!

(Image source: hercampus.com)

Second, branch out. Make some friends! A great way to find friends is to sign up for a million student groups until you find the ones you feel the most comfortable in – you’ll be sure to find loads of other students with the same interests as you.

Out-of-state students often find it difficult to make friends in college communities where it seems like everybody knew each other from high school. It’s time to stop being a noob and start mingling with the natives.

Take a guide along on one of your adventures! Their insight is crucial to building a good understanding of your new environment, complete with restaurant reviews, housing recommendations, and detailed explanations of the vernacular expressions you have yet to use properly in conversation.

(Image source: dailycal.org)

Most of all, you should aim to strengthen your relationships. A few months into college and you’ve started to feel like you belong. You recognize buildings and street names, and you know which sports jerseys to take pride in and which to hate with a fiery passion.

November comes along, and you’re faced with the bitterness of the nostalgic holiday that reminds you home: Thanksgiving. Some of us are lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving weekend at home, feasting on turkey dinner, gathered around the TV watching football, or sitting in PJs just relishing the company of family. However, not all of us can expect this luxury.

Hopefully, by this time you’ve already made some pretty good friends. Don’t be shy to accept the invitation to a friend’s for Thanksgiving dinner! It’ll be a fantastic opportunity to bond, and you might end up having a home away from home.

Once you overcome this obstacle dreaded by all out-of-state students, you’ll be home-free until winter break, when you’ll hopefully return to your family and impress them with all the cool stories you have about your life.

Don’t worry, things will get better. You’ll meet interesting people, try new things, explore new places, discover yourself, and build lasting relationships with friends who will stick with you every step of the way.

Who knows – next time the holiday season rolls around, you might not even want to go home!

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