Going away to school was quite possibly most nerve-wracking thing that I have experienced in life so far. I was going to leave the place I've called home my entire life, I was going to leave my house, my bed, my friends, my dogs, my siblings, and the worst part was leaving my mom. I feared the whole summer after my senior year of high school of what my freshman year of college was going to be like. Questions beyond questions. The summer was over before I knew it and it was time to leave, my heart hurt, I was scared but I knew that leaving everything I've known would benefit me in the long run. Boy oh boy did it.
I'm almost finishing my sophomore year, now, and I look back at how much has changed. Leaving home was one of the best things I could have done for myself. I had to live with someone random my freshman year, and it was the weirdest thing at first until she became my other half and my roommate to be going on three years (yikes). We met our other roommate who meshed into our craziness perfectly, and we became three peas in a pod. I thank them every day for making moving away from home being so easy and giving me things in life that I don't think anyone else could give me.
My mom did a lot for me when I was home, and she still does -- but, wow, living without your mom is a very rude awakening. I had to learn how to basically fend for myself (OK, that is a little dramatic), but I mean I had to do the basics. I have had to learn how to cook, clean, and do laundry, which thank god for college, but no man would want to marry me if I never left the home of my mom. I miss her dearly every day, but it helps knowing she's only a phone call away. Our relationship has changed tremendously since leaving her nest; there is so much more appreciation for her and everything she does. She's my rock and anchor.
The main reason I am happy I decided to leave home for college was because it gave me a new opportunity to find myself, and who I really am and who I want to be. I have came to many realizations about me as a person and my potential I have in life. I realized that I do not need to depend on anyone else than myself. I have learned a lot by leaving the only place I have ever known, home. Don't get me wrong, I wish sometimes I never had to leave or I never left, but if I had not made that decision two years ago, there is no way I would be where I am today, and that is why I am thankful for moving away.
Go away to school, it will be the best decision you will make in your life.
