The sacrifice and struggles of moving away for college really come apparent when 1.) You're stressed 2.) You're lonely and 3.) When its a Labor Day weekend and still can't go home like everyone else. It is such a bittersweet thing for me to go away for school, but it is worth it. Knowing I have the support I need to leave my home for the past 18 years of my life allows me to continue forth and keep moving. Now entering my junior year, I still feel the lonely nights without hearing my dog bark at the security light outside our house or getting up in the middle of the night to listen to my loved ones sleeping in the next room. But those things are what makes it more valuable once I am able to hear and witness those things when I do make it home. Here are some things that those who are away for school, regardless of the distance, know to be true.
1.) Darn it, I have to buy my own toilet paper now.
Wow, I never knew how expensive the good kind of toilet paper was until I had to buy it myself with little to no income.
2.) Mom/dad can't come with you to the hospital when you get hurt.
Shout out to those who help with not being a lonely soldier walking into a hospital you've never been in before. Normally, you'd have mom or dad knowing exactly where to go but now the responsibility falls on you (and your awesome friends) to figure it out.
3.) Having to make your own food.
Normally, making food is a given when you're home for the summer. But now that you're away, if you want your mom's homemade meat sauce, you better be calling her for the recipe because she isn't able to make it for you.
4.) Dad can't come fix the broken counter top.
So yes, this means you either call maintenance or fix it yourself. Maybe ask for your own toolbox while you're at it.
5.) But why do I have to call for my own appointments?
Now that your parents don't know your schedule they use it as an excuse for you to call yourself. Growing up can suck sometimes.
6.) I no longer can steal razors from the bathroom anymore.
I guess I took for granted the amount of simple stuff that my parents had in the cabinet until now I am the one who has to supply it. Who knew razors could be $8.
7.) Oh wouldn't it be nice to go home for the weekend?
This one might be the worst one. When all your friends say they're leaving after class to go to their hometown football game and you're standing there knowing it'd be a $300 flight to go see your brother play tonight. Out of the question.
8.) Casual run-ins with those you grew up with doesn't happen.
Telling stories about growing up isn't as fun whenever there isn't anyone around that actually knows what or who you're talking about. The "you just had to be there" moments is what your life consists of.
9.) You can't fight with your sisters and be okay two minutes later.
Just imagine getting in a fight with someone 12 hours away and have it be over the phone. That's torture. So to resolve any of those issues, avoid fights all together and reflect on how much you miss them. Save the fighting until you get home.
10.) You do not get the random 'Wanna go shopping' question.
Although this doesn't happen frequently at home, it's now impossible. The equivalence is, 'I just put money in your account.' But that still means you're going alone.
11.) Can't get that extra hug after something makes you sad.
Oh believe me, your family and friends just know when you're upset so it is hard to not be with them during times when you need it. But they also know what to say and how to say it, whether its through text or phone call.
12.) Missing the seasons that you've grown accustomed to.
Oh, it is sad whenever the place you're currently at doesn't reflect what it is like at home. For instance, fall in the south doesn't seem to compare to the fall up north. Pictures and memories get you by during times where you miss it the most.
13.) You can't cuddle your dog.
Poor little snuggle buddy is now a body pillow. And the question of whether or not your dog will still remember you is haunting. But she always does!! After you give her treats...
14.) Plus side, don't have to see any ex's.
The beauty of not running into people you'd rather not see is just as nice as running into people you want to see. Being away from home does help you move on.
15.) Driving around on unfamiliar roads is scary.
Knowing all the curves and places where it's okay to speed only happens when you have driven the same streets millions of times growing up. New territories make it so much harder to do those things.
Although these things can be sad and undesirable, they are what makes living away from home worth returning to. Cherish the time spent away to make new memories.
