by Amaliya Rakhmatullina, Product Specialist
At the end of high school, most students spend time anticipating the transition to college. From dorm shopping to saying goodbye to friends and family, a great deal of societal focus falls on this big change. But what about the unspoken transition? The one going back home after spending months at school.
Often this secondary transition is highly influenced by two main factors: home life and school life. These general terms are much more all encompassing than they may seem at first glance. Home life is influenced by familial dynamics, childhood and high school friendships, and physical environment. School life, on the other hand, includes much more than just academics. It extends to social life, independence, and again, physical environment.
There are certainly positives to both, but university students often agree that there is a clear divide between the two. So, how are we supposed to smoothly navigate back and forth between the two? Especially in the COVID-19 era, when the timeframe of the two are greatly shifted, how do we maintain a sense of normalcy? As a sophomore college student, I can offer advice from a place of personal experience.
1. You don’t have to keep the two worlds separate
It can be scary to imagine worlds colliding, but it can actually be a surprisingly pleasant experience. Friends from back home and from school both love you for you, so this mutual friendship can serve as an initial common ground when introducing friends from different parts of your life.
2. Maintain a routine
This year, many students have a longer break at home than usual, so it is normal to feel overwhelmed with the amount of time you will spend outside of your preferred environment. Having a routine and keeping yourself occupied to a healthy extent can make the time pass faster and feel less daunting.
3. Take care of yourself
Look out for yourself during these unprecedented times. Both physically and mentally, your wellbeing should be a priority. Know that there are many college students also in your shoes, and talking about hardships can help you feel less alone in this secondary transition.