H1 B Visa change of status

Hi

I am beneficiary of FY2025 H1B visa starting on October 1st 2024.I am currently working with my employer on F-1 STEM OPT status and my F-1 to H1 change of status has been already approved.Moreover,I am scheduled for a H1B dropbox appointment on September 26th,2024 at the New Delhi OFC. At this stage, I presume ,that my return back to the US would be around sometime late October or early November,2024.Just wondering if in my case if I am outside the US on October 1st,2024, does my F-1 STEM to H1B change of status still activates.I am a little confused here since I believe that for H1B change of status to kick in on October 1st,2024,I have to be present in the US .Please help and provide suggestions.

I dont see any issues as your H1B is already approved with COS. If you travel when COS is pending, it will get denied.
In your case you are anyways going for visa stamping so really nothing to worry about.