College has taught me a lot about myself and who I really am. I've experienced many things in the last three years and it has shaped me into the person I am today. I've learned to depend on myself and I've become more responsible for my actions, needs, and wants. I believe that the foundation for all this started when I was growing up. My family taught me to rely on no one but myself and from it I've become independent and mature.
As much as I enjoy being on my own and having my own life in a different city, there are times when I miss having the people that taught me all these great things. I've gotten so wrapped up in my own life that I've started to spring away from those I love the most. It is great when I get to talk to a family member over the phone, but nothing beats talking and seeing them in person.
My first few semesters at SDSU were the times I went back to my hometown the most. I got to visit family and stay with them for longer periods of time. Now, I'm lucky if I even get to go home just once per semester. Now that I am an upper division student and I am busier now more than ever, it has become apparent to my family that I can't visit home as frequently as I'd like, so, in turn, they come visit me. It's works out fine for the both of us. They get to experience beautiful and sunny San Diego. I get to catch up with what's new and hear the latest gossip of what's going on in my hometown. I get to pick right up where I left off with my sisters and I get to hear about the things they're doing in school.
Seeing my family and just laughing about the oddest things and catching up with each other is something I wish to do more of. Being around my family always reminds me of the past where we were all still young kids growing up and enjoying each other's company. It makes me wish I could go back, but it also allows me to see how much I've grown and how much I love my life. It's always nice reminiscing on those days and being able to share them with others, but mainly with those we love the most.
Going to college, I thought that I was all grown up and felt like I didn't need my family as much as had relied on them for the previous 17 years. It took some serious maturing and growing for me to realize that family is always needed. They're the only people that fully understand who you are and why are the person you are. When you don't have them near, it sucks, but having them and being able to see them from time to time is better than nothing. As a junior, I feel like I appreciate my family so much more than I did in my first year of college, and anything before that. I'm starting to experience the grown up world more and more every day and it all makes me look back at all my parents have done. Growing up is fun and definitely a life changing thing (obviously), but I know that if I need anything or just need to take a moment to look back at life, I can coin on my family. It's true what they say, there's nothing like family.
