School anxiety.

[Le bonheur*]

How does someone get over the anxiety of going to school an hour and a half away from home?

I have less than one month to decide if I'm going to university or community college... Home or another state. I'm so worried and anxious about going for many reasons. I really don't know what to do.

[PSY]

Hey, Brittany!

What exactly is making you feel anxious? Is it because you'll be living alone/starting over at another university, or because you're worried that this other university may not be right for you? All I can really suggest is that you make a list of pros and cons. Get other people's opinions, because it helps to see situations from different points of view... but ultimately, it is YOUR life, and therefore YOUR decision.

It sounds like you would be more comfortable going to community college for emotional reasons, but what is it about the other university that is so appealing to you? Is it worth dealing with some anxiety initially in order to pursue whatever is over there? What are your options, should you choose to go to the other university (ex. live alone, live with a friend/roommate, commute from home)? Keep in mind that you can ALWAYS change your mind later on. So many people feel pressured into going to a particular school at a particular time in their lives. There really is no "right" way to tackle the college experience, though, so you're welcomed to try one option out and transfer after one semester/quarter. =)

[Le bonheur*]

Thanks for your reply. I guess I'm feeling anxious because I basically mothered my sister (as my mother wasn't around much and my father didn't know how to handle an autistic child) so I'm kinda scared of leaving her and going 84 miles away. Yes, I know my father and mother are both in the picture now but it's still emotionally hard for me to up and leave something that I'm so used to.. despite how good it may be for me in the long run. I'm definitely going to take your advice and make a pros/cons list but it's hard for me to do that because the only con I see for not going is because of my sister. I also do feel slightly anxious about going and not knowing anyone and being alone and spending $13,000 on a school I'm gonna hate. But I won't know any of that until I go. My best friend is at the University and I planned on moving in her dorm (as we would've lived together in the dorm with another girl because it was a 3 girl room and I could just take my original spot if I wanted to) but the anxiety is ridiculous. This was my dream school until anxiety swooped over!