Growing up in the same house for 18 years and then realizing it's time to move out and go to college can be the scariest and worst feeling ever. You've lived in the same small town all your life. You went to a small school and graduated with the same people you've been with since K5. You have had the same best friends all through school, and you think you'll be friends for the rest of your life. Everyone in your hometown is pushing you and encouraging you that everything is gonna be alright, but deep down a part of you wants to stay and never leave.
The summer before I came to college was one of the best summers of my life. I felt the freedom of no longer being a "high school kid." I felt "all grown-up," when in reality my journey of life on my own had just begun. The thought of actually growing up and becoming an adult without relying on my parents made college sound a little better. What some people don't realize is that moving out means: paying bills, paying for gas, doing your laundry, cleaning your house, cooking your own supper, and the worst- doing the dishes. Although the freedom of not having a curfew, and no one to constantly tell you what to do is nice, sometimes you miss little things like that.
August came too fast and the day came where it was time for me to move away. It was a very emotional day for me, my parents, and my friends. Leaving home for the first time for a long period of time was so nerve racking. I was moving to a new town, where I only knew a few people, I was away from home - living in a dorm and living in the same room with another girl. So many things to get used to, so many new changes I had to adjust to, being young and scared to death.
We arrived on campus unloaded the car, decorated my room, went to dinner, then it was time to say our goodbyes. Even though I'm only 45 minutes away from my house, moving away from everything you know and are used to is not fun at first. As excited as I was to be in a new place, have a new start and make new friends, this day changed my life forever. We said our goodbyes, we hugged, and they walked out of the door. For a few minutes, I sat on my new bed and just cried a bit. It really hit me that I was an adult now, my choices and my life were up to me. My mom told me a couple months later that she cried all the way home. The day I left home was one of the most emotional days of my life. Yes it was a good thing to move away and start a new life, but it was difficult to leave everything behind.
Moving to a small town, starting a new life, and gaining new friends was something interesting. I am so thankful for all the memories I have made in college and all the people I have met. People say, "College really is the best four years of your life," I agree. I'm in my last semester of my junior year of college and it seems like just yesterday I moved in. Some days are good, other days are terrible, but good or bad days, each of them only last 24 hours. I'm sad that I only have one year left but excited to see what's next in my life after graduation. My college years have flown by so fast but have been years I'll never forget. As emotional and nervous as the first few days were- I am the happiest I have ever been. I love college.
