Written by: Emma Garrison ('25)
One of the most common feelings while living away at college is missing home. It is very easy to get wrapped up in homesickness, but being part of a community at Cabrini has made the transition easier. Coming from a small town in West Virginia, a little over six hours away from Cabrini University, I have learned not only many things about myself but others as well. In this blog, I will share 10 things I have learned about going to college far from home.
1. Get involved on campus
Put yourself out there, whether that be joining a club, getting a job on campus, playing a sport, or even joining the Cabrini Theater. Being involved on campus helps with the college transition and gives you a sense of family and community.
2. Time is valuable
Sounds cheesy, right? While that might be true, it is also the truth. From procrastinating on homework or cramming for a test, it is important to use your time wisely and sparely. While time flies by, there are also times when it stands still. So be wise and make the most out of your time.
3. Spend lots of time with your loved ones; you will miss them
Being six-plus hours from home, I miss my loved ones tremendously. One of the things that help with that is FaceTime calls. Hearing from my family and loved ones helps me stay focused. Another thing I make sure to do is to spend quality time with them when I am home on a break.
4. Make yourself a priority
Even when feeling overwhelmed or overworked, it's important to remember to take a little break. Take some time to have a self-care night, or maybe try even just go to bed a little earlier.
5. Make good friends
Having good friends is important. Ones who will always be there to have your back and support your every move. The friends you make in college might be the ones who are at your wedding!
6. Target is worth the hype
In my hometown of Walker, West Virginia, I don’t have a Target. Coming to Cabrini, there's a Target just five minutes away from campus. Target really is magical. You can walk in there without needing anything, but, I can promise you, you will leave with something.
7. Explore new places and things
Getting off campus for a little adventure from time to time really helps my mental health. I love visiting the King of Prussia Mall, which is the second-biggest mall in the country. Another place I enjoy going that is a quick five minutes from campus is the Gateway Shopping Center.
8. Stop saying no and start saying yes!
I have often found that my friends invite me to do something, but my answer is “no” or “I don’t want to.” I have recently changed my mindset and have started saying yes and have really noticed a difference. College is what you make of it, and time really does fly, so get out there and enjoy it.
9. Make time to do something that you love every day
Finding time to take a break from homework or studying to do something that brings you joy really helps break up the workload. At night I like to give myself at least 30 minutes, sometimes an hour, to read a book. It helps me sleep better when I am not looking at my phone, and it helps me relax quicker.
10. Community is key
Cabrini has a great community. Our University's core values are community, respect, vision, and a dedication to excellence, which makes for a welcoming, friendly atmosphere on campus.
As you can see from my list, being away from home isn't so scary and it can be a great opportunity to learn and expand your idea of who you are.