Like many other first-year college students, this is my first time away from home. Of course, I’ve been other places on vacation and during summer camp, but I’ve never lived on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I was psyched to leave the nest and get away from all the rules and regulations that come with being in high school. I certainly will not miss my 11 pm curfew. However, no matter how much I hated it, there was always a feeling of comfort being at home provided. I had a set schedule of classes, and I was surrounded with the same people I had been since I was 12.

Even though the routine got old, there was never any doubt about what my future, at least the near future, entailed. I was always going to go to school at 8, come home at 3, and do the exact same thing the next day. Leaving my small town of Agoura Hills, CA and moving to Boston was a massive change. Now, every day is totally new. Since being in college, I’ve encountered experiences unimaginable to my high school self. I’ve met hundreds of amazing people, explored entirely new places, and even got lost in Chinatown (and my four years of Mandarin from high school did not help at all). While I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have these experiences, part of me is sad about the life I had to leave.

During my senior year, I couldn’t wait to get out. I never imagined ever missing home, much less missing my parents. In high school, I was so sick of my small town where the days blurred into each other and the weekends were spent in the same three places. I hated how everyone knew everything about your life, whether you wanted them to or not. I couldn’t stand some of the people who surrounded me. It wasn’t until after I left that I realized how amazing my home really is. Some of the best, most kind people I’ve ever known are there. I was surrounded by the most beautiful mountains and beaches on Earth.

It’s not the big things that I miss, though. It’s the little things that I grew to resent and now miss for the exact same reason. I miss the small gelato store next to my school, the parks I hung out in because there was nothing else to do and getting up at the same time every day, even though it was way too early.

I’ve never been one to shy away from change. Actually, I love doing new things and getting out of my comfort zone. I didn’t realize until I left home how much of a safe haven it was for me. I love being in Boston. I love how different it is from Los Angeles. I love how independent I am now that I’m on my own. Even though there are aspects of my new life I definitely have to get used to, I am excited about every part.

Being so far from home has given me the perspective on what I had, and what amazing things are still to come. By embracing my new life, I’m not letting go of my old one. I’m simply putting it aside from now. But no matter what, Agoura Hills will always be in my heart.