I remember being a senior in high school and all I wanted to do was move away. I wanted to get out of the town I was born and raised in, leave those familiar faces behind and have a new start. It was time to start a new chapter in my life and I wanted to conquer this chapter on my own. So I did it. Throughout my college career, I have definitely had my fair share of ups and downs. It isn’t just the glamorous moments that are posted on social media. However, through those ups and downs, I have learned some of the greatest life lessons ever. These lessons are something that I would have never learned if I didn’t move away for college.
I learned how to be independent — Yes, I did learn how to do my own laundry and cook (somewhat). For the most part, I learned how to pick up after myself. I also had to learn how to buy things such as deodorant and cleaning supplies… Before I moved away, soap would just magically appear in my bathroom. Lesson learned, when I ran out and it didn’t magically appear. Eventually, you just get the hang of it. I created my own schedule, and learned the responsibilities of being on my own.
Your friends from high school start to disappear… But that’s OK, because the ones that don’t, are keepers for a lifetime. However, the friends you make in college are the best kind. Your college friends are the friends who see you at your worst. There’s this certain bond that is created with your college friends that nobody else will understand. Our friends in college are the ones we meet when we are newly free 18-year-old punks who party all night, because we can. These are the friends that become family. We live with them, grocery shop with them, study all night with them, eat with them, these are the friends we drag to Taco Bell at 2 a.m. to stress-eat with. They’re also the ones to lift our spirits with a margarita on a bad day. They were there when we turned 21, and they were there when we unfortunately turned 22 (it’s just being 21 all over again). And they’re the ones who we are going to walk across the stage with, to earn our degrees. And when we all go our separate paths in our professional careers, that bond will never break.
I learned from my mistakes — We aren’t perfect. Life happens and it’s one hell of a roller coaster ride. We make mistakes, tons of them. The important part is, that you need to learn from it, so you don’t make the same mistake over and over again. If you don’t learn from your own mistakes, you’re just wasting time.
Sometimes, I fell down and all I had was myself to pick myself up — There are some days when everything just piles up. You shut the door of your apartment behind you and sulk in your bed. Then you seriously consider buying a plane ticket to anywhere, just to get away. Life can get too hectic sometimes, it happens. Breathe in and breathe out.
I understand the importance of family support — Your family are the only ones that will support you from beginning to end.
I value the importance of a home cooked meal — There is absolutely nothing that tastes better than Mom's home cooking. I definitely took that for granted before I moved away and gained 20 pounds.
I know my self-worth — I learned not to take crap from anybody. I remember when I was 18 years old; all I wanted to do was be accepted — by anyone. Now, I could care less. I still live by the golden rule. However, if you use me, judge me, talk about me, or betray me — chances are, you’re going to be left in the dust, and I’m just going to pat the dust off my shoulder. Nobody is going to get in my way of being successful.
I learned how to live life to the fullest — You only have one shot at this thing called life, might as well do it and do it right. Sure, we have moments of stress. We battle depression and anxiety. We all get curve balls thrown at us. But, there’s nothing like a night out on the town with your friends. There’s no greater feeling than waking up on a college game day to cheer on your team. There’s also nothing better than receiving an A on a paper that you put your blood, sweat and tears in, then going to reward yourself with a margarita.
I grew up — I look at myself in the mirror and now I’m finally starting to see something positive — it’s something I like to see. When I see myself, I am seeing the person I am becoming. My dreams are slowly becoming a reality and it’s almost my time to put my foot in the door to create my own path.
