Let’s skip the TikToks and dorm hauls for a second. Because while the internet’s screaming about cute throw pillows and LED lights, you might be quietly panicking.
And that’s okay.
Leaving Home is a Big Deal
Whether you’re the student or the parent, this moment is massive. It’s not just about new classes or a new roommate — it’s about untethering from the one place you’ve always known.
That’s real.
Maybe you’re asking:
- “What if I don’t make friends?”
- “What if I hate my roommate?”
- “What if I miss home more than I thought I would?”
You’re not broken. You’re human. And you’re in good company — even the loudest extroverts get hit with late-night homesickness and dining hall despair.
Tips for Managing the First Week Freak-Out
1. Give Yourself Permission to Feel Weird
This isn’t supposed to feel normal right away. Don’t compare your inner chaos to someone else’s Instagram highlight reel. Spoiler: They cried in the shower too.
2. Bring a Piece of Home
A photo. A blanket. That ratty sweatshirt. Something that grounds you.
🛒 Weighted Blanket – Amazon (because yes, comfort matters)
3. Create Tiny Routines
Grab the same coffee each morning. Walk a loop after your last class. Listen to a familiar playlist before bed. Routine = safety when everything else feels upside down.
4. Text Home (But Not Constantly)
Stay connected, but don’t live in the past. Instead of “I hate it here,” try “Today was weird, but here’s something kind of funny…”
5. Let Your Room Be Your Safe Space
Your dorm room doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect — it just needs to feel like yours. A soft light, a good pillow, a fan that drowns out hallway chaos can do wonders.
Parents: You’re Grieving Too
Don’t let anyone guilt you for feeling like your heart just left the driveway. The silence is loud. The kitchen feels wrong. And you’re probably rethinking every “you’ll be fine!” you said over the last month.
Your kid doesn’t need you to fix anything — just to listen when they call. (And maybe send snacks.)
Final Thoughts
Leaving home is a weird, beautiful, awful, exciting mess. You don’t have to pretend it’s easy. You just have to keep moving through it — one awkward cafeteria meal at a time.
And if you need something that brings you a little comfort, whether it’s a blanket, a lamp, or a little piece of “normal”… well, we made a list of the dorm things that actually help.
You’ve got this. Even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.