College is a time for learning and growth. I knew this before I even entered it, but one of the things I think surprised me most about college was how much I grew and continue to grow outside of my academics.

My mind has been stretched in ways I would never have thought of. I’ve had experiences that I was able to grow through.

As each young person grows up they transition from a child, who is under their parents care, to a young adult, who connects with their parents in different ways.

When I moved to school my relationship with my parents was forever changed. I went from being someone that was always home and under their supervision to a young adult. I became friends with my parents. I know this is normal, but it was no less shocking to me than to any other person.

However, I go to school relatively close to home, so it’s been no problem to come home when I missed my family or when work brings me nearer to them than to school. This might have been why this was such a shock.

Within the past few weeks, my father got into a motorcycle accident. He is fine and nothing is broke. There's barely a scratch on him, which is a miracle. I, of course, called home right away.

I was told not to come home and everything was fine. This moment changed how I saw my parents. For the first time, I wasn’t at home in my room when my mother got the call. For the first time, I wasn’t at home to help them or even see my father until three or four days later.

As much as I am away from my family, this moment where I was not present really hit me. As much as I would always be my parent’s daughter, I was no longer a kid who still lived at home.

Often times in my culture this period is something that happens when one gets married. Those two people go off and they start their own family. I am not getting married or starting my own family, but I think in more recent times the idea that children grow up and move out on their own before marriage is becoming the mainstream.

I am still dependent on my parents and they still support me. I am also growing more independent and beginning to find my own way.

I know this is normal and is something most students go throug, but that doesn't make it any less confusing or hard. Each person must find where they best fit in with themselves and in their family.