Thinking back to my first day of college, I was afraid. I didn't know what I was afraid of, but I knew I was terrified.
The moment my foot touched the sidewalk as I stepped off the bus, my heart was racing. I had no idea what was in store for me. I didn't know anyone here. I could barely put a face to some names. Everything was too much. This was not my home. I wanted to go back to high school. Nothing was right.
Days began to go by, just as time does. I began to find things to do in my free time. Homework and socialization. Names began to fit faces, faces would beam with smiles as a hello came out. The long days began to feel shorter, the unbearable silence was filled with laughter. No longer did I call my dad during my three hour gaps, I found myself a home. A table to sit at, topics to discuss, a new sense of comfort.
Looking back as my freshman year is coming to a close, I discovered what my fear was as I stepped off the bus for the first time, change. No longer am I just a student, I'm an adult.
Transition is never easy. Going from a student asking to use the restroom, then being told no. To an adult getting up and leaving class whenever you want to buy a drink is a huge transition. However, change is inevitable. You can never escape what has to happen.
College is scary. Walking into a new school on your first day is no different than being blindfolded and walking into a new room. However, you will discover the best year of your life. Through the tears streaming down your face from an essay, the groans during one of your biology labs, and the never ending all-nighters right before finals week, you'll discover you've never be happier than where you are now.
But to everyone that made me feel at home, when all I wanted to do was drop-out or transfer, thank you.
It took me to the last day of classes to realize this, but you all made me realize I truly was home. So for that, thank you.
