I remember the Sunday of fall break, freshmen year, pulling up to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. I clenched on to my carry-on, holding in the tears as I said goodbye to my dad at the airport.
Do I really have to go back to taking care of myself in the cornfields of Oxford all alone? How many more days until Thanksgiving?
Fast-forward to my current state as a senior, and I am severely unfazed by my parents coming and going.
I’ve become accustomed to my life in college or “Lexi: Party of 1,” making my own decisions and taking care of myself.
Now, being an independent, self-sufficient person is something that comes easily to me. Honestly, I hate when people try to help me with things or put me in a position without control. I won’t go so far as to call myself a control freak, but I know what I want and how to successfully reach goals without help from others.
I think independence is an extremely important trait to have as a college student.
I’m not saying that you need to know how to navigate life completely alone by the time that you graduate, but I do think it’s important to implement a strong, positive sense of self and awareness of what it means to be a responsible adult before you say, "Adios, Oxford!"
Entering the real world not only means that you’re about to figure out what this whole adult thing is really about, but you'll also get the chance to figure out who you are on your very own away from the social and academic pressures found at Miami.
Right now, if you asked me who I am, I would probably give you a synopsis of “College Lexi.” She’s great and all, but take her away from Miami and plop her down in an unfamiliar place with new people and a new job, I couldn’t quite tell you who that is.
This doesn’t just go for me; I know that everyone is bound to grow from these new adventures that we are about to embark on in post-grad life. Having said this, I think that it is important to put yourself in a vulnerable state throughout your college career and let yourself make mistakes and try new things that will help you become more confident and comfortable in your own skin, establishing a sense of independence.
My summers and breaks are always a harsh reminder of the life I used to live before I sent myself 12 hours away from home to fend for myself (cue my mom yelling from the front door, "What time will you be home? Make sure you close the garage door! Make good choices and drive safe, OK?" as I pull out of the driveway on a Friday night).
Still, I'm thankful that my parents created the necessary environment and taught me the skills that allowed me to grow up and become the independent person that I am today. When "College Lexi" becomes "Real-World Lexi," I'll have my experiences at Miami to thank.
