I transferred to Bloomsburg University in January after attending a community college for two years while living at home. The responsibilities that come with leaving home for the first time are significantly different than what I am used to. The majority of students get this "wake-up call" when they are eighteen and fresh out of high school. I, on the other hand, am learning now at twenty. Below are five things I have learned during my first semester at university.
1) Living on your own is expensive. I definitely took for granted how much my parents have provided for me at home. While I was pretty financially independent before this semester, I certainly was not buying aluminum foil and paper products for myself. I am quickly learning to budget and look for sales at the grocery store, which is hopefully a skill I will have down by the time I graduate.
2) I have the most comfortable bed in the entire world. The twin sized slab of cement the school tries to pass off as a mattress is a surefire path to chronic back pain. Thankfully, I was able to obtain a mattress cover that makes the bed way more comfortable. However, whenever I stay overnight at my house, I have an extra appreciation for my double bed and the restful night of sleep.
3) There are unspoken rules of campus. I come from a town that does not have sidewalks, so it was odd to become acquainted with walking everywhere. Additionally, I did not initially understand how the shuttle operated and was amazed when I discovered it stops right in front of my apartment complex and drops off on campus. How convenient! Also, I had not previously known that it is a sin to run across the quad or how strict parking rules are since my community college did not even have a quad and students could park in any lot at any time.
4) Chores take up more time and effort. I feel like as soon as I have cleaned my room, washed the dishes, and vacuumed the floor, everything needs to be done again. I am forever indebted to my parents for not making me take the trash out while I lived at home. The first time I threw the bag in the dumpster, I felt as if I had been automatically signed up for AARP. I always saw this as an “adult” chore, and the small act helped me to realize not only how far I have come, but how much my parents do to keep a household running.
5) My family rocks. I knew this before leaving for school, but it became blatantly obvious once I started seeing them less frequently. My relationship with my younger sister and parents has improved since January. I feel myself having more patience for them (at least a little), and I always look forward to visits. I hate that I miss out on family dinners and game nights while I am away, but I plan on catching up as soon as the semester is over.
