You are going to have a blast when you get used to it! And you're going to manage just fine until you get to that point. You always have before. You're a survivor, ladybug.

Take deep breaths. Try to look at it like you're not the only one who's going to be in a brand new situation and completely unsure. On the first day of college--the first couple of weeks, really--everyone is. When you look through your own anxiety at the other faces, you'll see the same uncertainty in everyone else's expressions, too.

Don't worry too much about the friends thing right at first. That happens spontaneously after you start to become acquainted with who you're sitting near, who you hang out with in the hallway before class, etc. You sorta want to feel out the territory anyway and give yourself time to see who you're going to feel comfortable with anyway. Just take in those first impressions and the second and third ones, too. There's no rush. You have a whole semester with these people.

This has been a big year of some major life changes for you, sweetie. It's no wonder you're uneasy. You're out of your comfort zone and you're also still grieving. You're having to do that at the same time as you're undertaking a new form of school. So you're right. Lots of changes make for a stressful time. Just go easy on yourself and tell yourself it's OK that you're feeling this way. Change is unsettling, but it's also good. Means we're growing and out of our comfort zone.

You're going to have a blast once you get used to it and bond with some buddies. More fun than you can imagine. The social aspect of college is as much a part of the education you get as the academic in many ways. And don't put down community college! Consider the fact that there are millions of folks out there who aren't lucky enough to go to school at all. You're already ahead of the game that you're enrolled in any educational facility. It doesn't have to be Harvard or Wharton or Penn State to make you smarter. Folks who go to those places will try to tell you it does, but it doesn't!

Go out and make us proud. I loved Granny's walk-through suggestion and am glad you've done that. Don't be afraid to ask for directions or assistance on campus. The natives tend to be friendly and helpful and accustomed to fielding questions. Hope you have some great teachers. Keep us updated. Have fun and learn a ton!