My Double Life: College, Home, And The In-Between
Start writing a post
College

My Double Life: College, Home, And The In-Between

Is it really the best of both worlds?

920
My Double Life: College, Home, And The In-Between
Lynnsey Kwaak

Remember when we were in grade school and we counted down the seconds until summer vacation?

Remember when we knew that even though we wouldn't be in school for the next few months, we would still hang out with our friends pretty much every day?

I miss that.

This is the weirdest feeling. It's truly so strange. I feel like there are two disparate worlds in which I exist. I bounce back and forth between the two and every time I go back to one, it feels like no time has passed since I left it.

No one from my high school decided on the same school as me, so I went off to college knowing basically no one. It was cool because it was like a fresh start for me. I could be whoever I wanted to be.

So, I was. It was exciting. I joined a lot of student organizations that I would have never had the courage to join in high school. But my crisis appeared when I realized that so many of the things that made me who I was in high school were no longer there. It was like the safety net was snatched from beneath me.

No one knew who I was. I almost didn't know who I was.

There was no more after-school choir. No more walking to rehearsal with my friends after class. No more of the things that I knew so well.

I spent so much time missing who I used to be. I missed my friends from home and all the places we used to hang out and all the traditions and inside jokes that we used to have. I was unbelievably homesick.

Once I realized this, I knew something had to change. It wasn't easy, but I worked hard and made a name for myself at my school. Now, there are new places to hang out, new routines and traditions, new amazingly wonderful friends. And now, I never want to leave them.

It is such a weird feeling to want, with your entire heart, to be in two places at once. I wish I could just pick up my entire campus with all my friends from school and drop it right in my hometown. Or I wish I could pick up my hometown along with all my friends from home and drop it right next to campus. Or something that blurs the line between these two places that I call home and the people that I call family.

It's funny. Part of me wants to never grow up and stay at home forever, but another part of me can't wait for life to begin. The transition to college was not seamless and quite honestly, I am still adjusting. And I'm definitely still trying to arrange some enormous road trip so that my school friends can meet my home friends. But I guess I should consider myself endlessly lucky that I have found myself not only one but two homes. And one great, big, happy family.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

113411
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments