I never knew how much I loved my home until I had to leave it behind on August 19. I can't forget the feelings of finality, fear, and abandonment as I pulled out of my driveway, destined for a third-floor dorm room 120 miles away. It felt rather surreal to know that I wouldn't be back in time for dinner that night, to know that I wasn't simply going on a vacation for a week or two. I was leaving my home behind, betraying the house I grew up in for a residence hall. I was abandoning my parents and friends for three hundred girls I didn't know. I was giving up my dog and my horse for a betta fish, the only pet I was allowed to have. As I drove down the endless highway, closer to college and farther from home with each mile, I wondered what I was getting myself into.
College turned out to be a whole new world for me, a world that I didn't quite know how to navigate. I wanted to leave as soon as my parents left for the last time, leaving me in the parking lot behind my hall. I restrained myself from running after their car and forced myself to trudge up the 39 stairs to my room. I made myself set up my half of the room while my roommate, a stranger from Arizona, prepared hers. I made myself talk, to try and get used to this new life that involved sharing my personal space with someone else; being an only child set me up for a real shock when it came to sharing a room. I made myself go out into the suite area and meet the other girls living in the rooms around me, staring wide-eyed at the new faces from all over the globe. I made myself attend the social functions of Orientation Weekend, where I forced my nervousness down like a bitter pill as I stared at all the new students, both freshmen and seniors, who seemed so much more comfortable than I did. I stared at the students who seemed to fit in so much better than I did, the girls who already had so many more friends than I did (which was a grand total of 0 at the time, as I knew no one beforehand). When classes started, I instantly felt like my "college preparatory" high school failed me--I felt as though I was in over my head, swamped with homework and surrounded by students who were smarter than me. I realized that being one of the best in a graduating class of 38 did not mean I was the best in college courses. I wondered how I would ever make it. And I missed home. I missed it so much. I missed my parents, my friends, my pets, and the comfortable feeling of fitting in that had come with home.
Now that I am a month into college, things have changed somewhat. My legs are now made of iron after sprinting up and down those 39 stairs each day. I have begun to call my room "home". It certainly feels more comfortable now. I now call my roommate a friend and am no longer so terrified of sharing my space, and my life, with her. I have learned how to compromise and have learned to stay up late. I have laughed with my suitemates, shared meals with them, and made a fool of myself with them. I have even been carried by them (that's a long story). I have found a comfortable existence here too, just like the girls I envied on Orientation Weekend. I have found friends all over campus, in classes, in the hall, and at meals. I have found ways to manage the homework load, and no longer feel as though I am about to fail. I have realized that I don't have to be the best in class to succeed. Of course, I still miss home and everything that comes with it, but even that has turned out well.
I am luckier than many of my fellow students because home is close enough for me to visit over the weekend. In fact, I went home this weekend and I realized that by leaving home, home has become an even better place to return to. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. As I drove home, I realized that I was truly excited to see my parents and "hang out" with them; in fact, I realized that I actually looked forward to seeing my parents more than my friends or my horse! Leaving for college not only challenged me to grow as a person, it also grew my relationship with my parents. I loved my parents before I left, of course, but upon coming home I was surprised to find that I loved them even more. A month of living on my own has made me more independent, allowing my relationship with my parents to blossom into a friendship. College seems to have magically wiped away our slates and replaced past gripes with newfound appreciation and love. I realize now more than ever how lucky I am to have parents who love me unconditionally and accept me for who I am. I realize now more than I ever how much they do for me and how grateful I am for their support. I realize now more than ever how valuable home and family are. As I left home this weekend, I realized that my parents' love, acceptance, and friendship travels with me always, wherever I go.
I have college to thank for these newfound realizations and my newfound love for my family. Thanks to college, I realize that even though I'm 100 miles away from home, the love of my parents, friends, and family, will always surround me, making wherever I am, feel a little more like home. Thanks to college, I realize now more than ever that my home, and more importantly the people in it, is where my heart is and always will be.
Recommended for you
1. The Freshmen 15? It's real.
WARNING: The buffet style campus dining spots are a TRAP. If you're eating and out drinking on the weekends, it is EXTREMELY LIKELY that you're going to gain a little bit of weight. Gaining weight isn't really a bad thing, but staying healthy is definitely important. Take a walk or a run to even out that junk food intake, but feel free to sneak that late night five-cheese panini at 1AM.
2. Make friends with some of your floormates.
Your first year of college is arguably the most memorable time of your college life. You live with your floormates for two semesters, and you see them in the hall all the time. Make it a point to say "what's up", it'll definitely make your year more fun.
3. College is hard. Don't sell yourself short.
Higher education. It's not high school, your professors are a little less prominent than your HS teachers. This being said, you are responsible for your own eucation. It's a little hard having all this freedom and responsibility for (probably) the first time in your life, but it's important to realize that it's a little harder because you're sort of on your own.
4. You don't HAVE to have sex to "get it over with".
This is IMPORTANT. Deciding to have sex when you get to college? Cool. Deciding you want to wait? Awesome. Having sex because you just want to get it over with? Hm, think about that. Your decision is your decision, but if you're iffy about entering the "college hook-up culture", PLEASE really think about how important it is for you to have sex.
5. Be careful who you hook up with and who you open up to.
As I said earlier: beware of the infamous "college hook-up culture". IMO, it's a chance for college guys or gals to lead the other on (the majority of the time). It's not possible to control your feelings, but it's possible to cut a hook-up off/talk about how you feel. Better for you in the long run, trust me.
6. Work around scheduling a class before 12PM.
You might have the idea that, "Oh, I got up at 8AM in high school. I can do it again." No. No, you can't. I have very little explanation for this. You'll enjoy the extra sleep. If you don't believe me, schedule a morning class, and see how you feel.
7. Dress how you want to dress.
You wanna dress up? Slap on some make up, put on some heels, and head to your lecture. You were up late last night? Roll out of bed in what you fell asleep in last night. The good thing about college? You realize that no one is really focused on you, so it's a good time to just "do you" and rock it.
8. The drinking every chance you get? Not healthy. Stop that.
9. When you DO go out, be safe.
Check your drink, make sure you're pacing yourself, don't wander home by yourself, etc. The essentials.
10. Spend your money frugally.
Living the ramen/ easy-mac life is a real thing. There's a reason why it's a college student's go-to: it's easy to make, and it's cheap as heck. It's important to practice money saving tips- even though it seems almost impossible.
11. Those events your RA hosts? Go to them. Some of them are awesome, some offer free food.
As a poor college student, the word free resonates in all of our ears. RA events are not only a gateway to free food, but are also a way to meet more people on your floor/ in your building.
12. It's not all about school- enjoy yourself.
College is a new time in your life where you're working towards your future, but it's also a time where you meet people and have experiences like no other. Let yourself breathe sometimes, and just enjoy this experience.
What about combined income from two minimum-wage workers? Wouldn't that put them above the poverty line? In a nuclear family with two working parents and two children, their combined yearly wage would be about $30,160. That's only $7,846 above the poverty line. Now, let's take into account rent, food, gas, utilities, car insurance, health insurance, school supplies, clothes, and tuition. Try and see how $30,160 would cover all those expenses in a year – it doesn't. The minimum wage is not a living wage.
The minimum wage is not a living wage.
StableDiffusion
Here are some myths that I would like to present and debunk:
Raising the minimum wage will kill jobs. This is false. In a March 2011 report, the Center for Economic and Policy Research concluded that raising the minimum wage would not only help workers but actually have the possibility of increasing job openings. Better pay leads people to spend more money, and the cycle repeats.
"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."
influential nations
StableDiffusion
On June 2, 2014 , Seattle changed the city's minimum wage to $15 dollars. Following that procedure, unemployment decreased 17.46 percent – falling from a previous 6.3 percent to 5.2 percent.
Raising the minimum wage will hurt small business. Not only has a higher minimum wage worked in cities across the United States, but a 2006 study by the Center for American Progress and Policy Matters compared small business performances and found that the small businesses who paid the higher wages were more profitable.
Mostly teenagers work minimum-wage jobs. Again, this is false. Half of minimum-wage workers are 25 years old or older. Most minimum-wage workers support their family on this income – and 28 percent of these individuals have children.
Raising the minimum wadge
The minimum wage is not sufficient to uphold and support an individual, especially individuals with families. I've often heard: "It isn't fair that someone working in a fast food restaurant will get paid the same as a college professional!" If we raise the minimum wage to, let’s say, $11 an hour, it would still be a lower amount than that of a college professional. Even so, someone not having a college degree doesn't make their worth any less valuable. Nobody deserves to live in poverty. Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet. We are a nation of equality and opportunity – it's time to let some of that opportunity flow.
What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?
Federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour. Many states also have minimum wage laws, and the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?
A higher minimum wage means less workers living below the poverty line, more workers being able to make ends meet and potentially spend beyond that, and workers would be more productive upon the increase.
What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?
California is at $15.50 per hour, Washington is at $15.74, and Massachusetts is at $15. These are the only states to have a $15 minimum wage as of Jan. 1, 2023. (The Economic Policy Institute Tracker)
Trending Topics
Trending Stories
Best of Relationships
![man in black crew neck t-shirt]()
