It’s all happening so fast. The reality of college has come crashing down, and it’s honestly a lot to handle. I know I’ll love it, and that I’ll be able to handle anything that comes my way; I’m confident these next four years are going to be incredible. But I know, for a fact, that I will be homesick.

I’m going to miss my room, with it’s cozy messes and old photos scattered across cabinets and drawers. The way the sunlight comes into my windows, spilling onto my floor. The light noise of traffic going by. The sounds of dogs barking in the morning. I’m going to miss waking up when I want to, going to bed when I want too, without having to think too much about the noise I’m making entering and leaving the room.

I’m going to miss having my cereal selection. Seeing my parents before they go off to work. Our mumbled morning conversations about the upcoming day. Seeing friends and familiar faces. The baristas I know well at the coffee shop.

I’m going to miss the peaceful coexistence of my neighborhood, where I’ve lived for 17 years. The neighbors who are quiet and conscientious. Seeing my little neighbors grow day to day. The neighborhood dogs. Thanksgiving with my grandparents- no longer a guarantee because of distance and short breaks

I’m going to miss my parents, a lot. As an only child, they’ve been my constant companions. They’re happy for me, excited to see me take on this next step. But they’ll be going from a full home to an empty nest in the course of a single day.

But I’m grateful. I’m grateful that I have a home to miss, and a family I love deeply. I have the full support and love of so many behind me, a support that brought me where I am today, but makes it all too hard to leave.

I’m beyond excited for college. I’ve accepted that I will cry when I miss the familiar smell of cookies baking or a hug from my mom. As A.A Milne wrote, “how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”.