A huge selling point to leaving home for college is putting some space in between you and your family to gain independence. After 18 years, the allure of not having to worry about anyone but yourself is so tempting, which is why many tend to go out-of-state for college. There is no one to answer to and no one to tell you what you can and can not do.
Yet, after spending 18 years living with the same people, it's strange to uproot your life and move. You go from seeing the same people every day to seeing them every few months. You realize that your family means more important to you than you could have ever imagined. It's the whole "distance makes the heart grow fonder" realization.
However, you're now in a new chapter of life. Life can't go back to the way it was over the last 18 years, so you have to learn to adjust your relationship with your family members. While that shift comes with some growing pains, that new dynamic makes you feel more connected to your family than you've ever been. Here are some ways your relationship with your family might change.
1. You actually are genuinely curious about what's going on in your sibling's lives.
Before I just always knew because my sister, her friends, or my parents were my inside source. Now, I facetime her to hear about her Prama or to help with her homework. Even if it's something minuscule in her life, I want to know every detail.
2. You feel bad asking your parents for money.
As much as I want to ask them to pay for everything I buy at Target, I have faced the harsh realization that after graduation I will have to provide for myself. Plus, they are paying for my tuition and housing, and just hearing them go over those numbers makes me cringe. If they can pay for all that, I can afford to pay for a bag of Cheetos and some Kleenex boxes.3. You feel comfortable expanding your language around them.
In high school, I never even uttered the words "crap" or "damn" in the presence of my parents. Now, well, let's just say it's a little different. Don't worry, I'm still a perfect angel, though.
4. You're not afraid to tell your parents your weekend plans.
I had the joy of explaining to my mom what a "
5. You call your family and tell them about anything and everything.
When I get a good grade on my finite exam, my mom is the first person I call. I call my dad to chat about the Cubs or the latest superhero movie coming to theaters. My sister is on speed dial so I can rant about any friend drama I'm facing.
6. You get really excited about telling your parents when you do semi-adult things.
Every time I do my laundry I call my mom to tell her about it as if she hasn't done my laundry a million times in the past. Same goes for when I do any productive shopping or clean my room.
Going to college is a good thing, it breaks the bubble you may have lived in and helps in getting you more prepared for the "real world'. Though a lot of things change, one thing that is constant is the mutual love between you and your family.
