Heading off to college for the first time can be a stressful situation. The what-ifs like to build up in your head, and you think about all the bad things that can happen to you. You think about all the things that could go wrong, rather than the things that are bound to go right.
My fears consisted of:
1. Making a fool of myself first day moving in, and that it would be in front of a cute boy.
2. Arriving on my floor and not liking anyone, or worse have them not like me.
3. Not making good friends.
4. COMMUNITY SHOWERS.....why?!
And the list went on and on.
However, before I knew it I had been at school for two weeks and I was more homesick than I thought was possible. But in these two weeks, I had crossed off at least three of my fears on the above list. I hadn't made a fool of myself on the first day (or so I'd hoped), I liked people on my floor and vice versa, and I had braved the famed community showers. I had made friends, but was still missing my old ones.
To the friends back home: I miss you terribly. There are times when I look back on all our photos together and wish I was back in town, heading to the local Safeway to get Ben and Jerry's and head up to our favorite lookout. I miss the times where you knew everything that was going on in my life because you were in it every day. I miss you because you are the ones who know how to make me laugh like uncontrollably until my sides hurt, and the ones who know how to comfort me in just the right way. No matter how far apart we are, please know that I haven't forgotten about you, or any of your loving ways.
To the friends I've made: Thank you for being with me during this crazy transition. Thank you for embracing the craziness with me, and going on random ice cream trips and fast burger trips. Thank you for being spontaneous. Thank you for all the amazing memories we've made in the last four months. I was so sure it would take an achingly long time to find people I connected with. But here you are, and I couldn't have asked for anyone better to have met during my first year on campus. And I can't wait to see how our friendships grow over the next three years.
