I'm originally from the tiny town of Orange County, Virginia, and moving to St. Louis was not an easy adjustment. Winding backroads with no line down the middle turned into five lane highways and rush hour traffic. Here are some things that I have learned during my time away from my family and living in a completely new environment.
1. You can do it.
I know this seems cliché, but it’s true. Sometimes it just takes believing in yourself to get by. It took me a long time to realize that I’m capable of much more than I often give myself credit for. Moving away from all my friends and family helped me to understand that I’m not always going to have someone to hold my hand through the hard times, and that’s okay. It’s important to know your independence and be able to handle sticky situations with discernment.
2. Home is taken for granted.
During my childhood and high school years, I never realized just how lucky I was to live where I did. Moving from the rolling hills of Virginia to the giant slab of concrete that is St. Louis made me realize that I grew up in one of the most beautiful states with the most beautiful people. Home will always be home. Even if I only get to visit twice a year, nothing will ever compare to sitting on my kitchen floor with my sisters, a cup of coffee, and my dog, Wiggles.
3. Groceries are expensive.
Mom, thanks for feeding me and buying my toilet paper for all these years. I seriously didn't realize how expensive all the necessities can be. Although I’m still working on this, moving away from home has taught me to budget for the things that I need.
4. Be friendly to everyone.
My first year of college was a pretty lonely one. I didn’t know anyone and it’s really hard for me to build connections with people. However, there were a few people that were extremely encouraging during my freshman year. These are the kinds of people that gave me a hug every time they saw me, always smiled, and told me I looked nice and that they enjoyed my company. Although I rarely see these people anymore, they played a crucial role in my decision to stay at MBU. During that first year away from home, I learned from those few people that encouraging other people is so important. You never know what another person is dealing with and letting them know that you care about them might be exactly what they need to keep going that day.
5. Family will always be important.
Even though I’m over 800 miles away from home, family will always be family. I can easily say that I’m closer to my older siblings now than I ever was growing up. My brother and I are pals now, and we always hang out when I’m home. My older sister and I talk every day; when we were growing up, we could hardly be in the same room together for more than an hour. And my little sister, she’ll always be my best friend. Being apart from her has taught me that no matter how many friends and acquaintances I make, no one will ever understand me or make me laugh like she does. (Love you kiddo!)
