As August begins to draw to a close, we all know that the 2016- 2017 school year is imminent. For me, I will be beginning my freshmen year of college and starting a whole new chapter of my life. While this is the start of an amazing new adventure with new opportunities around every corner, I must admit that it is scary to know that I will be leaving my comfort zone so soon. Here are the 10 hardest goodbyes you have to make before leaving for college.
1. Your Old High School
I am going to make a very bold claim here and say that I went to the best high school that there is. The student- teacher dynamic there is unprecedented. While I graduated over 2 months ago, it still didn't feel real yet that I was never going back there as a student again. The fact that my room is packed up in boxes and move- in day is this week really solidifies that fact that that part of my life is over. Moving to college means leaving all you've known for 4 years and all of the incredible people that you met along the way. It also means saying hello to the incredible new university that you got to choose. It's saying hello to 4 more years of meeting amazing new people and making awesome memories.
2. Your Room
Most people have their own room growing up at their parents' house. The people who had to share a room should not be jealous of this because they now have a leg up on what to expect in college. Knowing that in a few short days I will have to share my (smaller) room with two other (I'm sure lovely) girls is overwhelming. Having to share a dorm room means saying goodbye to personal space and comfy mattress. It means that you no longer can just go to your room and shut out the world. But having a roommate means that you will automatically make one (or more) friends as soon as you get to campus. You get to have a new friend who had an entirely different upbringing to enjoy the first moments of college with.
3. Your High School Job
Some people hated working in high school, but some people really liked their job. No matter if you liked it or not, working in high school probably became a big part of who you are. It taught you really important skills of time management, how to produce good work, how to work with others, the list goes on and on. But if you're me and you really liked your job and the people you worked with than leaving your job in your hometown to go to school is really tough. Leaving your job means leaving your amazing co-workers and a job that you loved. But it means saying hello to an opportunity to get a job you may love more, possibly more free time, and having an awesome job already listed on your resume with great references, too!
4. Your Car
If you were lucky enough to have your own car in high school it will be really hard to adjust to living your freshmen year without one. It was never a problem the last 2 years to drive to school or to go to a friend's house or the mall. When you're living on a brand new campus without a car it will be a big adjustment to have to walk or take public transportation wherever you go. Saying goodbye to your car means saying goodbye to the freedom that comes with it. But saying goodbye to your car means saying hello to learning to navigate campus on foot. Chances are you will see things that you never could have from a car.
5. Your Hometown
Chances are that you didn't pick the town that you grew up in and were just born into it. College is a different story. When high school seniors commit to college, a big part of that choice is usually if it is in a rural or urban environment. You can live in a big city or a small college town. Whichever type you live in, it won't be the one that you grew up in. Saying goodbye to your hometown means saying goodbye to your old hangout spots and everything that you've gotten used to always being there. It also means saying hello to an entire new town to make your own with new places to explore and people to meet.
6. Your Sister
If you have an older sister like me than you can't remember a time when she wasn't there. Leaving her for an extended period of time is very scary. Your sister is one of the very few constants in your life and even though you probably fight non stop, you love her and are always comforted by the fact that she's not going anywhere. Saying goodbye to your sister means saying goodbye to your first best friend. But it also means that when you do get to see her you'll appreciate her much more. It also means that she's already been through college and can give you tips on how to succeed from decorating your dorm room to excelling the class room.
7. Your Cat
Leaving your pet is probably one of the worst parts of moving away to college. The fact that I'm leaving in a week without my cat for the next few months is heartbreaking to me. Saying goodbye to your pet means saying goodbye to cuddles on a bad day and unconditional love. (There really is no benefit to this one)
8. Your Best Friend
Saying goodbye to your best friend is incredibly hard. If you're anything like me and have had the same friends since you were a baby than it's even harder. Your best friend has seen you in all of your awkward phases and in every mood you could possibly ever be in. Saying goodbye to your best friend means saying goodbye to late night car jams, having a shoulder to cry on, your movie buddy, the only other person who gets your ridiculous inside jokes. It means saying goodbye to childhood. With technology it means that you can still talk every day and visit each other sometimes. It means that you'll start to really appreciate the memories you have and look forward to seeing each other again.
9. Your Mom
Obviously saying goodbye to your parents is going to be incredibly tough. Your parents have been with you your entire lives and they have been and always will be on your side. You have always lived with them and once you move out things will be a bit different. Saying goodbye to your parents means saying goodbye to your rocks and your role models. It means that you have to be more independent because they aren't just down the hall from you anymore. It also means that you have a new found independence and again you will appreciate them more when you are home to visit.
10. Your Routine
By the time you're a senior in high school your life is down to a science. Whether or not you like the fact that it has become so predictable you can always count on it. Once you get to college it's a whole different story. Your day- to- day life will be completely different and you can be whoever you want. Everything is new to you and your old comfortable life is gone. Saying goodbye to your routine means that you have to say bye to that familiarity that you've come to know so well. But it also means you have the chance to start over and be as adventurous and safe as you want.
Say hello to the next 4 years of your life and remember to enjoy it!
