Transitioning from high school to college is difficult. For me, it was especially grueling. I didn't know what schools to apply to or what to study, and I was terrified to leave behind my family and friends.
When I settled on a small university in Georgia to attend, I couldn't wait to embark on a new journey. I had found my freshman roommate, coordinated our dorm room, discussed our majors, and we rushed Panhellenic together. It was exhilarating being on my own and experiencing the true college life. I believed I was living the dream.
Once spring semester of my freshman year came around, I realized I couldn't handle college. I was so overwhelmed with classes, juggling a social life, and immensely homesick that I told myself I needed a break. I made the difficult decision to take a gap-year that spring semester. For those of you who don't know or fully understand what a gap-year is: Essentially, you take time off from school to work, travel, etc. before returning back to school. I didn't follow the traditional gap-year of taking an entire full year off to pursue traveling or work. I took a semester off and returned to school for a year and a half before taking another semester off.
My first semester off from school was a challenge. I was unproductive and would sit around my house crying and thinking, "Did I make the mistake of leaving?" I was so depressed and missed the friends and sisters I had made back at college so much that I would just amble around. I was so miserable sitting at home watching my friends and former classmates living the college life that I realized I needed to make a change.
When I returned back to school that following summer, I realized how much I had missed out. I knew I needed to catch up with my classmates. My realization that going to school and working toward a degree was a big deal got me back into the hang of the college routine. But then, I was hit with the overwhelming course-load and homesickness.
Yet again, I decided to take off another semester and actually pursue working. I chose to work in retail since fashion had always been one of my passions. Through my work experience, I learned that work itself is a lot different than just going to class and studying. I learned to develop employee–employer relationships, work with customers and balance my money.
Through my real-world work experience and talking with family and friends I knew I was ready to get back into school. I sat down this time around to realize I needed to finish school. I told myself I would continue through and graduate. If it had not been for my supportive family and friends, I don't know where I would be today. I am currently a junior in college and have a year and half left before I officially receive my diploma!
