Since beginning my sophomore year of college, changes have been prevalent everywhere I've turned. I've gone from relying on my parents, to relying on myself. I've gone from just focusing on homework and my social life to balancing a job on top of that. One of the main differences I've noticed, however, is the difference in the meaning of words and things, since entering this new realm of responsibility. It isn't that the words themselves have changed, but simply the meaning behind them.
My House -> My Parent's House
This is one of the more shocking revelations I've had recently. Now that I am living on my own and in my own house at school, I didn't realize that my home back home, is technically now my parent's house. I don't live at that house full time anymore. I've heard almost every young adult up here refer to that house as their parent's house, and it stunned me into a good reflection period over the fact that this is a reality now, and that I am basically moved out of my childhood home.
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Rent -> Rent
I used to rent movies on Netflix each week and get one in the mail, and now I am renting a house. The same word has two completely opposite meanings - one that brings joy, and one that doesn't necessarily bring joy, but a similar word all the same.
Chapters -> Chapters
If you are interested or a part of Greek life, you will understand this comparison. Chapters in books that were needed for school are still prevalent, yes, but chapters have also turned to a new meaning for the world of Greek life. A chapter for a book is no longer the only type of chapter on a college campus.
Homecoming -> Homecoming
With the season of homecoming upon all the university campuses at this time of year, it only seems appropriate to include this analogy. In high school homecoming was all about finding the perfect dress, scoring the best date, and being asked in the cutest way possible to the dance. In college, homecoming is all about supporting the football team, attending the game, but most importantly finding the best pre-game outdoor tailgate on the block.
College is a very exciting time that's filled with new changes, and frankly new definitions to words we already had meanings for. With these new meanings come new responsibilities, but also new opportunities for us to look forward too for the exciting future ahead.
