Got into a college outside your city? Anxious about moving out? Here are some practical tips for freshman.

Do feel that a college in another city is better but are nervy about charting unknown territory? Are you wondering whether you'll understand the accent of the professor in a college in Texas that your dad insists you join? Whatever be the case, going to another city for higher educational pursuits is packed with its own pros and cons. Moreover, dealing with life away from home brings with it added responsibilities and a demand to hone strong resilience skills. The following tips will help you get through this difficult phase and aid you with getting on with your educational pursuits:

DRAWING COMPARISONS

Living away from home is usually not the personal choice of a majority of students. Especially for those who are just taking their first step into the "real" world that goes beyond school life. Home offers social, financial and mental security and more amenities (TV, phone, computer, etc.) whereas living in dorms is a totally different scenario. Disadvantages include cramped living conditions, non-appetizing food, sharing a room (and everything else) with students you dislike, and added living costs to boot.

Add to this problems related to local culture, language and transport, and perhaps even a danger of getting pushed down in the dumps due to loneliness or the vulnerabilities of a hostel environment. But all's not as grim as it seems: Scrape beneath the surface and you are bound to discover life throbbing with activity, fun and loads of adventure. Says Andrew Williams, who moved from California to Indiana for higher studies, "You get to socialize with other students and experience 'living and learning' student life. I have made friends for life. Besides, a better college gives me better opportunities."

Living in dorms also has the added benefits of being near the college campus, good study facilities and services, and being able to establish one's own mature survival instincts. So putting aside initial fears of solitude and other intimidating factors, dorm life could be pure fun and development. The plus point is that options are many - all you need to do is sit down, think and decide (of course, with your parents and mentors!).

DORM LIFE

Living in a dorm presupposes a high degree of integrity, consciousness, cooperation and hard work for a bright future, good image and reputation of the individual and institute.

Be prepared:

The scout motto 'Be Prepared' couldn't be more relevant than to a student stepping into a dorm. Like all new things, entering dorm life has its own set of fears, frustrations and problems. But things should be fine once you begin coping with them.

Be open:

You will encounter people with different personal histories and upbringings. You will have to be tolerant and open to their ways of living, opinions and habits. Peace is the keyword. Acting rigid about differences will only wreck your heads.

Sharing is caring:

Initially, you may have to live with people whom you don't know and will have to share a room, bathrooms, dining tables - almost everything (including personal belongings!) with them. But soon enough, you'll have close friends with whom you could be sharing everything from books to beds to clothes and even shoes.

Be practical:

It is important to be logical in terms of co-existing, shaping up and socializing. You have to keep the smoke down in all situations of conflict. Fights, dislike and irritation are part of living in a dorm but these must be handled without getting into trouble. It must be realized that there are people other than your family with whom you share your space. So be as good-mannered and polite as possible. As comfort levels with your mates increase, you'll be at ease. Making acquaintance with almost all people you meet is a good idea. And with mobile phones, it is not difficult to store another number. You'll realize its value in cases of emergencies.

Be careful:

These are basically mom's advice reiterated but the most important to be followed: Initially, new friends, locales and local trends may influence you. But be careful and make the right choices. Avoid strangers, especially those who try to come exceptionally close and are overtly friendly. They could be thugs who could exploit your initial vulnerabilities. If you are living in private accommodation like an apartment with other roommates, make sure that you maintain decorum of the society you are residing in. And of course, a college dorm accommodation already comes with its set of rules. And though a college dorm may appear worn out, it is a secure place for any beginner. Take care of your food habits. It is advisable to try the college cafeteria if the college provides one. Being alone may induce some adverse habits that must be avoided. These include not being clean, spending excessive time in side activities besides academics, compulsive spending and missing classes to name some. Don't get carried away. Live within your budget, for excessive spending habits lead nowhere.

ENJOY!

Lastly, you are not staying away from home just to bury yourself in books. So go out, explore your surroundings and enjoy. You could have the time of your life studying and preparing for your exams along with 'growing up'. But whatever you do, just remember that you are on your own so be responsible. Always! Remember that there have been many a winners away from home... And you could be one of them!