I was that girl who never planned on leaving home until my parents kicked me out of the house. I was so comfortable that I never wanted to leave. Maybe it was more of fear, and that’s why I didn’t want to leave. I was afraid of everything in high school, and a lot of those fears held me back from doing things I never imagined. Before deciding what college I was going to attend, my heart was set on staying home and going to a community college. I depended on my parents for A LOT. Whether it was money here and there, rides, dinner put on the table for me, they did it all. I loved that. I enjoyed spending time at home and with my family. After all, we do spend 18 years of our lives with the same people, in the same places, so it was hard for me to picture myself somewhere else. I loathed the fact that I was letting my fears get the best of me, and I envied those who were so eager to leave home and start their own life. It took a lot of courage to make the decision of moving away, but in the end, it was one of the best decisions I could have made.
You learn to take care of yourself.
Whenever I was sick, my mother would either take off work or call me every 10 minutes to just check in. She would make me her homemade chicken noodle soup and do absolutely everything I asked her to do. The first time I got sick up at school, I immediately called her. She told me what I needed to do to make myself feel better. Easier said than done because I didn’t want to move out of my bed. She told me to drink fluids, eat something bland and get lots of rest. I think I got the sleep part covered, but the rest, I was lost. I didn’t have my mother there, so I quickly learned to take care of myself.
You learn to cook.
I always tried to help my parents make dinner. Meaning, I diced the vegetables, stirred the rice and poured the milk. I never thought about how long it needed to cook and what temperature the oven needs to be at to bake chicken, or how long leftovers last and will I get food poisoning if I eat the food I made last week. Of course, now and then I call my mom and ask her a food question, but for the most part, I know the ins and outs of cooking 101.
You find yourself.
I firmly believe I found myself from being away at school. Going away to college forced me to be the woman I wanted to be, confident and independent. I found lifelong friends from all around the world; I met people who have made my life better and made memories I will cherish forever.
Looking back at myself in high school and how comfortable I was, I never would’ve imagined how far I have come. Even my friends and family are shocked. For me, going away to college was the best decision I could have ever made. I wouldn’t have learned the things I have from being on my own. I wouldn’t have grown into the person I have am today. I don’t let my fears stop me from living anymore, and I encourage all of you to try something new and out of your comfort zone because you never know what you’re capable unless you try.
