Going to college is something that most people see as one of the most fun and exciting times in your life. There are new people to meet, and new things to accomplish. Everyone talks a lot about the various great things about college – but there are some tough times as well. Getting through the growing pains of college can be one of the hardest times – but it can also be rewarding.

The first major growing pain is always going to be getting used to being away from your family. Sure it’s fun and exciting to be able to go out every night of the week, or sleep all day on weekends if you’d like to. However, there is also something hard about being away from home cooked meals and your little brother’s video games. You can conquer this by spending your weekends at home if you’d like, or even by calling your family when you feel lonely. Don’t be ashamed to miss your family or want to see them, after all they are the most important people in your lives. Enjoy the breaks that you have to spend with them, and gradually you’ll get used to not living with them anymore.

Also, your friends from high school might present you with another growing pain to worry about. As you make new friends, your old friends might be a part of your stress. It might be hard not seeing them, and when you do get together with them, things just might not seem the same. Keep in touch with your high school friends as well as you can, and go visit them. However, remember that having more friends and new friends won’t mean that you love your old friends any less. The friends that you’ve made who are your true friends will remain in touch with through college, and your life will be even fuller.

Strange time habits will also be a growing pain that you’ll have to deal with. You’ll find yourself eating at all hours of the day and night, staying up late and sleeping during the day. It might take awhile for your body to adjust to new patterns, so be sure to eat right and get plenty of rest. Remember, just because you are in college doesn’t mean that you have to do everything that comes your way. Take a night off now and then, and you’ll feel even better.