I'm in my first week of college and I'm just really feeling unstable. I miss my family a lot, but it's mostly cause I'm anxious because I feel like I won't get to spend time with them at all anymore, like I'm not supposed to. I've made some new friends, but I went to school with them... but they're new. I've talked to a lot of other people but I don't know anyone that well. I just feel like I'm not living up to expectations, not being social enough, but I don't have time because I have to study a lot. Normal?

Perfectly normal.

You'll settle into it with a bit more time, I promise. Studying is more important than socializing, but make sure to take SOME time to socialize, too, even if it's just having someone you meet for lunch in the cafeteria or something.

Some of the people you get to know in college will become your friends for the rest of your life. You just haven't met them yet, or haven't had the time to become that close, if you HAVE met them.

You'll be fine, and it's completely normal to feel the way you do right now.

Whew! Thank you, I can breathe now! Just when I thought I had it all figured out it went up in flames.

Excellent answer by Synnen above! I too remember what it was like living at college in a dorm and feeling isolated and wondering if I was doing the right thing or not about studying compared to socializing and also missing the comfort and regularity of the regimen that we all have by being at home.

It will pass and you will get into a groove. Shouldn't take all that long.

You would be shocked to know how many of your fellow freshman feel EXACTLY as you. I work at a college and have watched the freshman class come in and start classes this week. As an outsider - one that has been in the same shoes - my heart goes out to all of you.

Just make sure that you stay true to yourself in this time of settling in. You are a wonderful person, just as you are, and people will like you for you. Don't try to fit in to the crowds and lose focus of your inner-strength and character. Be yourself.

And relax. You're doing great. :)

I know exactly how you feel. Ive been in your shoes before and its hard. When I was a freshman I cried a lot because I didn't really know anyone and wasn't the popular person and things had made a big change from high school to a new school, new people, new places. Its very hard and scary. Just try to be yourself you will make new friends and keep old friends and learn a lot. If you are not the type to be very socialable then don't do it. Don't change yourself at all, people will like you for who you are. If you need to study then study and if others are off partying while you are studying take a look at the statistics of freshmen in college. Those who do not study and take it seriously drop out or flunk out. You will do great, just have faith in yourself.

I've been sticking with a group of people from my high school. We've met some new people within that group though. Should I be going out to make new friends? I've met people in my classes, but I don't know them well enough to exchange numbers or anything.

It will come with time.

If someone asks you to go hang out, and you want to get to know them better, then by all means find the time to hang out with them! If you meet someone you want to get to know better, ask THEM out for coffee sometime!

You'll get to know people from your classes over time, as well. There's no need to rush out and create a whole new group--eventually, people will come and go from several groups of friends that you'll know. Don't stress about it--just be yourself and hang out with the people you want to hang out with, and if you meet someone new you want to hang out with, add that person to your list!