OK, so it's only been three weeks since I graduated, but so much has changed already. I went from a small
Vermont college that I grew to love and call home, back to the South Shore of Massachusetts. I love where I live but it's not the same as being in college. College was instrumental in shaping who I am today. I am not the person I was when I walked into Joyce almost four years ago. I didn't realize what an impact it had on me and my growth as a person, until I left. I didn't realize how much I took for granted. I didn't realize how much my life would change after college.
1. Your friends are not a five-minute walk from you.
It was so nice to wake up and text your friends about going to brunch. You could be at their doorstep in less than five. I would sometimes complain about having to walk to the other side of campus (10 minutes tops) to visit someone. Now? At LEAST 45 minutes. And that's only one friend, not 15.
2. How easy it was to connect.
When you graduate, it's really hard to continuously stay in touch. Especially if you are in different states. You never know when you might see one of your friends next. You learn who your true friends are. Who are the ones that you are willing to put in the effort to talk to?
3. The freedom.
Going back to living at home, after two years of being away is not easy. Yes, there are some perks to going back to living with your parents again, but one major thing you lose? A sense of freedom. College was great. You didn't have to answer to anyone. You didn't have to inform anyone of what you were doing. You certainly didn't ask for permission. I don't know why, but as soon as you set foot in your parents house, it's like you go back to being 16. Where are you going? Who are you going with? When will you be back? It's exhausting. There's no sneaking around in college.
4. Drinking as much as you want.
I don't know about you, but I am constantly being told that I shouldn't drink too much. Hello? How old am I? I would understand if I was still in college and under age, but I'm almost 23! I have learned, the hard way (maybe), my limits.
5. The late nights.
So as soon as I graduated, I turned into a grandma. One night I went to bed at 9:30! Gasp! College was about late nights and partying it up. Now... I look forward to getting home and getting into my sweats. How times have changed.
6. The proximity to...everything.
I didn't have to leave my campus very often. Being home, however, is not the same case. At least 20 minutes is the norm for getting, well, anywhere. Downtown Burlington was so close that taking an Uber or taxi was "relatively" cheap. If I want to go into Boston, it's at least an hour, and if I take the train an hour and a half...each way! This makes going out for fun not worth it. [Goes back to getting into sweats and watching a movie.]
College was a great time and I loved it. It will always have a huge part of my heart. Although all of these changes are taking quite the adjusting to, I'm ready to embrace this new found "adulthood," sweatpants and all.
