As I begin to prepare for my final semester of my senior year of college, I decided to look back on all the experiences I've had in school. College wasn't so easy for me in the beginning. I didn't find a place I fit in until my second semester of my sophomore year. When I found that school where I fit in, everything began to fall into place and I finally started feeling like I was going to get that college experience everyone talks about.
Senior year of high school, I got into my dream college, Towson University in Maryland. I was so in love with how gorgeous the campus was and I met this amazing roommate. I knew we were gonna have the best experience college could offer. However, it didn't turn out the way I hoped. Once college move in day came around I was beginning to suffer from extreme home sickness. I didn't feel comfortable at the school or with anyone on my floor for that matter. I was beginning to see that it might be hard for me to make friends and that scared me, especially since I was four and a half hours away from my comfort zone back on Long Island. As the first week went on I began to make a couple of friends in my dorm building, in classes, and also through my roommate. Since I was making these friends, my mood began to lighten. I wasn't so homesick but at the same time I still did miss home.
As the semester continued, everything changed. I started becoming the person I know I could be. I was finally beginning to feel comfortable at college. This meant beginning to enjoy college experiences such as football games, going out, parties, and just enjoying being with my new friends. Unfortunately this little bubble of happiness popped on October 29, 2012, when Hurricane Sandy struck Long Island. After hearing about all the devastating damage to my childhood home as well as my town, that just sent me over the edge. I began to feel very out of place again in a community that I was just starting to feel like I fit in. As the semester continued, I began to realize that what was good for me in this situation was that I needed to go home and be home. So I started the process to come home and continue my education.
Once home, I started at another university— Adelphi University. Even though I was closer to home it still wasn't an easy situation for me because I was dorming at Adelphi and I still didn't feel comfortable in my surroundings. I tried to get involved with things at this new university and make friends however it wasn't so easy and the panic attacks and the anxiety came at full force. With in the first three weeks of my sophomore year I realized this wasn't the school for me. This realization brought be back to square one. I was applying to transfer schools again. That's what brought me to apply to Hofstra.
With in the first week of Hofstra, I realized I finally found my home away from home. I was making friends both in classes and out. I was commuting since I was so close. I had a strong group of friends outside of school. I also decided to take that leap of faith and go out for a sorority. Everything was finally falling into place again. I was finally happy with my decision and I found the place where I wanted to continue my education.
The only advice I can give to people is that it's OK if you transfer three times— sometimes you need to experience different things and different schools before you finally find the place where you feel comfortable enough to call it your home away from home. I wouldn't change anything about my college experiences, everything that happened over the course of my college career helped to shape me into the person that I am today. I am more grateful for this learning experience than anything else. Not only did I learn what's best for me but I also learned a lot about myself as a person and a student.
