From Massachusetts to California, Rhode Island and New York, Dartmouth High School and Bishop Stang High School graduates are making extensive preparations for a new life in their homes away from home this upcoming fall.

While there’s a sense of excitement for students in anticipation of going away on their own for the first time, the consensus shows a bit of apprehension for some students.

Dartmouth High graduate Alison Cadieux, who is attending Salve Regina University in the fall, has long term concerns. Cadieux’s freshman class alone consists of approximately 500 students.

“I’m concerned about being able to make career connections in college and being able to get a career I like out of college,” said Cadieux. “There are thousands and thousands of colleges and universities across the United States alone, and I'm afraid that I won't be good enough to make it in the real world.”

Dartmouth High graduate Amanda Peabody, who is attending SUNY Purchase in New York for dance, had similar reservations as Cadieux.

“I wonder if I will land a career within my desired field, and if I'll be happy and live comfortably both during and after these next four years,” said Peabody, noting that she often contemplates the risk of paying thousands of dollars to attend college is truly worth it.

A 2007 report by the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute found that more than 65 percent of college freshmen experienced periods of homesickness. Not unlike most students leaving home for the first time, recent Dartmouth High School graduate Hallie Cardoza, who will attend San Diego State University, said it's one of her biggest fears.

“I'm really looking forward to living in California because the weather is always beautiful,” said Cardoza. “I will definitely miss seeing my friends every day at school.”

Bishop Stang graduate Samuel Carpenter is attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle in the fall and, like every other college freshman, he at first was nervous about meeting new students.

“My fears were quelled when I went to the accepted students day, and met students who were all nervous about the same things,” said Carpenter. “Probably my greatest concern was money, but I was blessed with a good financial aid package.”

Dartmouth High School graduate Andrew McArthur also received a significant amount of financial aid. However, the recent grad, who is attending Hamilton College in New York, has similar concerns.

“Regardless of where you go, college is expensive,” said McArthur. “Paying for [college] is worrisome, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.”

Debt is a major concern among not only college students, but also their families. A recent report said that for the class of 2013, seven out of 10 college students nationwide carried some form of education debt when they graduated. According to the ninth annual Project on Student Debt report from the Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS), the average debt of students who graduated with loans from Massachusetts was $28,565.

“I worry about how I will pay off the student loans in the future and if I will meet certain standards both from the teachers and myself,” said Peabody, who also admitted to worrying about making friends, all valid concerns when entering an unfamiliar world.

Despite being undeclared, Dartmouth High Valedictorian Brooke Spencer said she looks forward to attending Brown University in the fall.

"Having the opportunity to explore what I'm passionate about is one of the things I'm most excited for at Brown,” said Spencer. “I'm looking forward to a fresh start, meeting new people and learning about myself.”

Bishop Stang graduate Rachel Correia, who has already begun to take classes at Bristol Community College this past year, said she was also nervous at first, but called the students at the school “extremely welcoming.”

She also gave some helpful advice to her fellow peers, advising them that there is help everywhere.

“Do your best and no matter where you go, you will excel in anything you choose to study,” said Correia.