The House Is Not A Home
Start writing a post
Student Life

The House Is Not A Home

How I learned why this ancient proverb rings true.

77
The House Is Not A Home
Pexels

This past week, for the first time since I got to college, I felt “at home". It was a pretty noticeable distinction. For the past month or so, I think I subconsciously viewed my dorm as a temporary living space. I’m sure it doesn’t help that my residence hall is designed more like a hotel. I wish I could chalk this new feeling of ease up to time, yet I have the feeling it had more to do with two events happening within the past week: my roommate Autumn* moved out and my friend from back home moved into her dorm at University of California San Diego.

Autumn’s reasons for moving out were ultimately unclear. She didn’t tell me or Genie* she was leaving until a couple days before she left; apparently, the process of changing rooms is a swift one. Once she left, there really wasn’t much of a change because she had never been in the room anyways. Yet I felt like I wasn’t walking on eggshells anymore. She and I never clicked — which was fine. It just made the few times we interacted slightly uncomfortable. Genie and I had found our stride, yet Autumn never fit into it. Our new roommate is actually moving in today, and her arrival was just as sudden as Autumn’s departure. We know nothing about her, but I’m ready for anything at this point.

Even if I don’t know her exact reasons for moving out, I understand why Autumn left. I think most of us moving in with strangers considered moving out once or five times. I think I would have, had there not been this existing stigma regarding switching rooms. I assumed my roommates would judge me, yet I don’t judge Autumn at all. I applaud her, and everyone else who changed rooms, for having the stamina to repeat the grueling move-in process again — the physical part, as well as the mental part involved with settling in with more strangers.

Within that same weekend, my childhood best friend moved into UCSD. I went to visit her on Friday and ended up staying almost the whole weekend. Not only was it great to see her, but I also hit it off with her roommates. The slight disconnect that exists between some of the friends I’ve made here at SDSU doesn’t exist with them, and we already joke that I’m their fourth roommate. Simultaneously, I missed home and felt like I was back. Having a piece of home, especially just an important piece, and being a thirty-minute drive away (shout-out to my mother for letting me bring my car) makes being nine hours away from my actual home so much easier.

One thing I learned this week is you might have to work a little harder than you thought to make college feel like home. It's more apparent to me than ever that a house is not a home. There’s nothing wrong with viewing college as a means to an end. Yet if you still feel like your room is just a place to sleep, and college is just a place to get an education, I encourage you again to get out there. I understand how hard it is, yet the more work you put into your college experience, the more you will get out of it. I found out about a SDSU organization while at a UCSD event, just because I happened to talk to a SDSU alumni. Like one of my undeclared advisers said, “You just need to find your people.” For her, her fellow club members are like family now. So find a club, go to events, strike up a conversation with the person wearing your favorite band’s t-shirt, and know this: I’m still working on following my own advice.


*Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58990
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38088
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959584
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

196167
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments