Since coming home from my first year of college, in this recess from adulthood, I have realized some pretty substantial things. My perceptions of the world and the people I knew before and met during school have all been changed and recreated. These are the things that I've come to see since coming home:
There is honestly no place like home. No matter how cozy you make college or a new place away from home, it will never beat where you came from. Personally, I moved across the country for school and having my family and my childhood home so inaccessible, I realized how much I take the ease and comfort of home for granted. Enjoy the time in your old bedroom, in your bed, with your family, and your dogs, with food in the fridge because it will take a long time to find somewhere else to feel like that somewhere else.
A simple life is the best one. Having to rely on yourself and care for only yourself is a really interesting experience, and in my experience personally, living as simply as you can is the best way to go. Don't buy too many unnecessary things, make sure you have groceries but make sure they are what you need. Search for the simple pleasures in life, like good books, nice weather days, sweet people. Keep yourself and your dorm, room, area, clean because that is one thing that just gives you peace of mind.
High school was such a small and pointless part of my existence. The people, the wanting to fit in, the classes you took, the extracurricular activities, whether people liked you, it all means so little once you are out of that hell hole. In college, you make a different kind of friend, one that gets you in a way that the people of your hometown just can't. You see once you find all of your college friends, that most of the people you were friends with in high school, were a waste of your time. Growing apart never became so easy.
This may just be personally, but I realized how much my parents care for me and understand me. When I left they were so supportive and understanding, and while I was gone they knew the perfect balance of helping me when I need it and giving me my space. Now that I'm home and readjusting to home life they are being so generous and amazing and I really owe a lot of my success and mental stability to them.
College was the best decision I could have ever made. I went to college in New York City so my first year was obviously a very exciting experience, but even the academic parts of it were so worthwhile. College introduces a different form of education. The environment is different, you have complete control, and it's all going toward the future you choose. You're learning about who you are and where you're going and its one of the best experiences. I met some of the best people in just the first year and I'm so excited for the years to come.
