You’re a 13 year old girl attending middle school, not much longer until you’re a 16 year old girl attending high school. Nothing really has changed. You think you’re entitled to anything and everything, and whenever your parents fight with you, you automatically come to the conclusion that they’re out to get you.

I’ve been through it; we’ve all been through it. My teenage years were some of my most difficult ones. Constantly fighting with my parents and brother over dumb things, I was repeatedly in and out of arguments with them. As bad as it is to say, I honestly didn’t realize how important and vital my relationships with my family members were until I started college.

Flashback to high school; I’d get upset when my parents wouldn’t let me have people over on a Friday or Saturday night because they knew drinking would be involved. Because of that, I’d spend a few days giving them the silent treatment. It was the first week of my freshman year of college when I came to terms that it was going to be tough being away from my family. My birthday was approaching, and on my special day I found myself extremely upset not being able to be with them. I thought that since I had spent countless summers at sleepaway camp I would be fine, but I was so wrong. The first two months of college were really rough and emotional for me. Hearing my families’ voices on the phone but not being able to be face to face killed me and nearly brought me to tears each time I talked to them. Living at home, I always knew how my family was doing as I interacted with them on a daily basis, but while I’m here at school, I always feel the need to constantly talk to them on a daily basis to know how they’re doing since I can't always be with them.

I never really thought about how lucky I was to be able to see my parents every day while I was still living at home. Being away has definitely made me appreciate everything my family does for me and all the opportunities they've given, and still continue to give me. As a sophomore, I still find myself homesick at times. I often find myself calling my family members to know little things like what they did that past weekend, mostly because it reassures me that they’re there. I’ve grown up so much this past year and a half at school, and my relationships with my mother, father and brother have only prospered. I’ve learned the importance of keeping in touch and not holding grudges. I’ve also learned to not get mad when they try to give me advice though I may find it offensive, because in the end, they’re only trying to help me grow as a person. Generally speaking, college has taught me to love my family unconditionally and not take anything or any relationships for granted. It’s so important to not sweat the small stuff.

While it’s hard being away for long periods of time, it gives me all the more reason to look forward to seeing my family and cherish the time spent with them on breaks. Letting my family know I love them is so important. My family is my rock, my foundation, and my biggest supporters, and going to school away from home has made me realize how essential it is to let them know that.