As a child, we are all taught that the world is a good place. That we will always be protected. That everything is going to be okay. But what happened to always telling the truth?

I am not saying that we should scare children into thinking that everything is bad, but I feel that being lied to is not the answer either. Of course, everyone should experience the amazing gift of being a child without having to worry about the evils of the world, but maybe we should have been told more as children.

Not only were we not informed of everything bad that went on in the world, but we also were not taught a lot of independence. Now, I know that this varies for a lot of people. There are many children with parents who either cannot afford to provide for them or who are not mentally stable enough to take care of the house, making the children individuals who have to fend for themselves. There are also those parents who make sure that their kids are independent with everything. However, for the most part, even those kids are used to being nurtured and protected by their parents 24/7. It might not seem like it, but being in the same house as your parents and siblings all the time makes you dependent on others. There are freedoms that come with certain events such as receiving your first car or debit card, but it is nothing compared to what the real world has prepared.

When I say the “real world,” I mean the world of adults. More specifically, though, I wanted to discuss the idea of college. Now, everyone knows very well what college is about. Getting a good education, being social (partying), and finally being independent. However, no one fully realizes it until they arrive on campus.

I was able to move in early because I am here for preseason, and it was great. There was not a chaotic mess of college kids all trying to bring their 10,000 pound load of stuff into their dorms. It was pretty much a ghost town to be completely honest, but it was nice. All of my stuff went in through the door, and right into my new room that I could finally call my own. Everything about college seemed great, until the initial shock hit me that I was actually by myself for once.

It is a scary thought, being independent. You are never fully prepared, but you hope that your whole life has made you ready for this moment. Being on your own at this point in life, what I realized, is a wonderful thing. At first, it may seem like your parents have betrayed you, but I know it is for the best. Being thrown into a situation where you are making all of your own decisions is the perfect way to become an informed and intelligent person. It makes us all become better versions of ourselves. It makes us all the adults that we know we can be.