The past weekend, I went through something that reminded me I was no longer a little kid. I woke up at 4 in the morning on Saturday in the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. As someone who hates going to the doctor, I thought I could just push through it and the pain would eventually go away. But soon I got lightheaded from the pain and could barely walk, so I figured it was best to go the school health center.

Once I got a ride from the campus police to the health center, I saw a nurse who was convinced I had kidney stones. She thought it was best that I go to the hospital to get the help I needed. Soon I called my mom and told her the words no parent wants to hear at 4 in the morning, "I'm on my way to the hospital". Naturally, she freaked out but there was not much she could do, being so far away, so I would have to go through this all by myself.

Soon the school ambulance arrived and I was strapped into a stretcher, scared and in so much pain. The whole way to the hospital I was crying and puking (ew, sorry) from the pain, not sure who would be up to meet me at the hospital.

I soon arrived at the hospital, still by myself, and the next thing I know needles were going into my arms and questions about my insurance and past medical history were being asked left and right. I was so overwhelmed because I had never been through this myself (my mom still holds my hand when I get shots.)

I spent the next hour by myself in the worst pain of my life. Thankfully, my roommate was able to come so I had a friendly face by my side soon.

After this whole experience, I truly feel that I am an adult. Sure, I don't know how to do taxes or cook anything besides Mac n' cheese, but I spent a whole night by myself in a hospital. That has to count for something.

This whole experience was a true wake-up call that I won't have my parents by my side at every second to help me along the way. I will need to step up and be responsible for myself. While a truly terrifying experience, I am now more aware of how much more responsible I have to be for myself I am in college.