When you first arrive everything seems as a misplacement, but in reality, you are the misplacement. Arriving at a new place, seven hundred miles away from "home" is not the easiest thing to do. A new environment, a new habitat you have to become accustomed to. The day I left home, I left sad yet very thrilled for this new adventure ahead of me. As soon as I arrived at Dover I felt as if I was just looking around and in one day or two, I would be returning right back home. The reality was far from that, though, I was about to stay in Dover for the next four years to come.
As soon as I received the key to my dorm, I went straight there. If I could have sprinted I would have but it wasn't possible with all of the luggage and all of my belongings that were on me. I did walk as fast as I possibly could down the hall. At this point, I was a little disappointed at the fact that I was on the first floor because I just love the mini trip it takes to go from one floor to the next, I know, I am a little weird. Anyways, I was still ecstatic to see my room so I kept walking with my key ready in hand. All of the room numbers ran through my head in a fast forward motion, I just wanted to find my room number.
We finally find the door with our room number, my roommate and I. I quickly drop the things I had in my hand to unlock the door. I opened the door in awe. Everything was perfect. The beds were larger than a twin size for sure, yes that was the first thing I noticed. There were two desks as well as two dressers.The restroom is a great size with a bathtub. We started fixing all of our stuff, we each got a closet so we were able to organize everything really well.
Every time I sat on my bed I would contemplate about home, especially when it came to Friday. On Friday and Saturday, I would always work back home, it was routine. I still felt that I would be going in to work after school that Friday, but once I got into my dorm I realized that I was miles away and that I wasn't going to be able to get the interaction that I loved getting every weekend at my job that day. Then Sunday came. As soon as I woke up, I picked up my phone, looked at the time: 1:00 pm. That was so abnormal! I would always be woken up on Sunday's by my mom at around 9 am to get ready for church. Before church my family and I would all have breakfast at the table as a family. This part really got to me, I had to call home at that moment. I called my parents and just started crying at the void that I felt of not being able to be with them doing our Sunday activities.
One month later, I am not the same: I've learned that technology is my best friend and that communication is key. My mind has reached a state of resignation about going home for the weekends. My friends and family back home have helped me tremendously getting to the point where I am today. Without their constant messages and daily phone calls, I would be in a full depression right now. This is the part where you get to know who your "real friends" are, appreciate them. No matter how annoying you think you are, to them, you should be an individual who they enjoy no matter the circumstances.
In all, the best thing I can say is: be patient with yourself. Getting used to your new home will not happen from morning to night. Give it time. Get to know your way around, talk to people from there, get out and interact once in a while. This altogether will help you adapt to your new environment, I know it may seem out of mind to think about but before you know it, you will be calling your new place HOME.
