Megan’s abroad in London, England, until Dec. 13.

I lugged huge bags up seemingly endless stairs. I attempted to make my room “homey.” I had trouble setting up the Internet. I met my freshman neighbors, asked them where they’re from and what they’re studying. But this time, I’m a junior and across an ocean from NU.

North by Northwestern’s New Student Week advice has been useful not just for wide-eyed new Wildcats but for people like me, who need a refresher on how to adjust to college life. I moved into my dorm on Sunday, and this week there’s not much to do but meet with department heads and take tours of campus. As good as all the free time sounds, this week has been really awkward. I keep forgetting people’s names, looking like a moron while trying to find classrooms and walking around in packs of ten. The last time I felt like this was, well, my New Student Week.

Because of all the awkwardness, I keep putting up social guards. I find myself gravitating toward the group of American friends I hung out with during orientation and homestay, and distancing myself somewhat from the Brits. It’s not exactly on purpose, but to me, the only topic of conversation that’s appropriate with English students is just how different things are between our two home countries. Frankly, it gets kind of old talking about Barack Obama, Sarah Palin and the fact that some lemonade here is clear and fizzy and essentially Sprite. So instead, I hang out with American college students and probably have an air of being shy or antisocial.

I’m sure things will get better next week, once classes start and I actually have interesting things to talk about. And my British suitemates are nothing if not friendly and sweet, so I really have no reason not to make friends. I’m sure in a few weeks I’ll look back and laugh at my social stupidity. Until then, I just need to find a handy way to remember my new friends’ names.

Read Megan’s previous post | Meet the rest of our abroad bloggers