Afraid You Won't Know Anyone at College? 5 Tips to Ease Your Freak Out

I'm the poster child for feeling like a lonely misfit at the center of the universe. Being the new kid—over and over again at different schools—has a way of doing that. It makes you hypersensitive and distorts your perception of other people. It's not an easy condition to cope with.

So I understand the worry that comes from realizing you may not know anyone at college. The waiting and anticipation between high school and post-secondary school can fill you with crippling doubts. It's a time when you may feel more vulnerable than ever before. It can lead to some serious blues.

In fact, I recently engaged in a heartfelt email exchange with a reader who was desperate for a little reassurance as he stares ahead at this next big phase of his life. His emails made me quake with empathy. I've been where he is. It's not a pretty place.

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