You've moved off to college to a new city, with new friends, and new things to do on a Friday night... yet for some reason, your heart aches for those late night runs to Sonic for a 1/2 price shake. Don't worry, we've all been there before.
The Move
In my hometown, we have a single traffic light that only works when it's sunny out, a total of 3 fast food restaurants, approximately 57 churches, and 32 beauty shops. And to be honest with you, I wouldn't have it any other way. Nearly 2,000 people live in my little town, so when I up and moved 3 hours away to a city with 250,000 people I was awestruck to say the least. Food at any hour of the day, PEOPLE at any hour of the day. It was a strange thing seeing human interaction at 3 a.m. (a time I had never seen past my bedroom before). Between the newfound freedom of starting my freshman year of college and a mall within walking distance, I for some reason found myself missing that little town of 2,000 people. Home.
The Downfall
Tears. And when I say tears I actually mean bawling. and sobbing. and ugly Kim-K crying. I was distraught. I missed my mom. I missed my dad. I missed my sister. I missed my dog. I missed my best friend. I missed the kid from Chemistry class I talked to once a day for God's sake. I was homesick day after day after day. I called my mom daily begging to come home. Pleading for the whole family to just up and move to me. For years, I planned my escape from this little close-minded town, and when the day finally came, I wished my dream hadn't come true. I missed everything about the town that I just couldn't wait to get away from.
The Cycle
Somehow, between all the bawling and squalling, I made it. I made it through my first semester of college, and then without even realizing it was gone, I made it through my second semester of college. After finishing my second semester, I came home refreshed. I was happy to see my parents, my sister, my dog, my best friend, and even that kid from Chemistry, don't get me wrong... but something was missing. The familiar feeling of homesickness was back. I missed my big city, I missed my food, I missed seeing people at 3 a.m, I missed spending money I didn't have on things I didn't need... but most of all, I missed the friends and the memories I had made in that big ol' city. Now that I'm heading into my sophomore year, I've realized that this "missing cycle" is just that. A cycle. It will get better. It'll have its highs and it will definitely have its lows, but that's what makes this whole college experience worth it. Right now, you're scared, sad, and homesick. This feeling doesn't last forever, though it may feel that way. We'll make it through it.
