When I graduated high school, I wasn't just leaving behind a building, I was leaving behind all my friends, teachers, and neighborhood that I've known since I was five years old. But, most importantly I was stepping out of my comfort zone.
As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew that I was going to change. My previous schools had all been small and everyone knew each other. Now I was attending a college at a university that had twenty seven buildings and it was extremely intimidating. I thought I would never meet anyone and I would always get lost going to class.
Leaving all my friends behind was probably the hardest adjustment that I had to go through. I didn't know how to be independent, and I wouldn't do anything without anyone else. This lead me to be upset a lot because everyone that I met was alright with being on their own. I was so obsessed with the thought of someone calling me a "loner" that I just decided to go to class and go straight home. Before college, I was shy, I would always want to be outgoing but I never even tried. I always struggled with finding my confidence and was always afraid of being made fun of.
A couple years later, and I have changed for the better.
I could have just chose a smaller college after seeing how big ours was. I'm glad that I didn't. I not only know every building on campus, but I also know all the shortcuts. I am no longer intimidated by large bodies of land and I trust myself when I'm somewhere new.
I have learned how to love being independent and doesn't bother me to do things alone anymore. I am by myself on campus 85% of the time.
The other 15% of my time is consumed by the friends I have met here. It may seem cliche, but I gained the right friends just by being myself. I didn't have to try to be outgoing or fun. It just happened naturally.
There are definitely times when I feel like giving up but if college has taught me anything it's taught me that I'm way stronger than I thought I was.
When you make the transition from high school to college you are definitely challenged academically. I definitely had a hard time the first few weeks of my first semester. It was overwhelming to have so many assignments due at the same time. I am proud to say that I am learning more and more everyday. Over the years, I have gained experience, explored new ideas, and I know exactly what I'm passionate about.
I can only hope that I will continue growing, changing, and learning for the duration of my college career.
