Now that I'm in my second year of college, I've become pretty well adjusted to living away from home. My mom may not love having one less bird in her nest, but she knows that I'm getting ready to start a new chapter of my life. That chapter is called adulthood. I'm not quite there yet, but living in a dorm has given me the opportunity to have a little taste of it before I'm totally thrown out into the world.
I am used to being away from home at this point, but when I first moved onto campus, a lot of things changed. Not all of them were easy to deal with. Living in my home away from home means not always being able to run to my mom when I've had a rough day or need a cup of homemade chili. It means I need to buy my own cough medicine when I stupidly stayed out without a jacket. It means when I get out of work late and the dining hall is already closed, I have to make sure I eat something more substantial than cheetos. It means I have to remember all the important birthdays because my mom isn't there to say, "Hey, make sure you call Grandpa to wish him a happy birthday." It means not being there when my brother has a bad day at school and comes home upset. It means I can't just run home when I realize I forgot something, and it means that my cats can't sleep in my bed. Actually, they can (and do based on all the hair I find), but I can't.
Living at school comes with a lot of changes. Most of them are for the better. It forces me to be more independent, manage my time better, and not only take responsibility when I mess up, but learn from those mistakes. It means I get to go eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with my friends. It means I can have movie nights and people over at my leisure. It means my mom doesn't know when I stay out all night and miss out on sleep. I would rather miss out on sleep than memories. These choices may not always be for the best, but they're the choices I make.
When I moved to my four year home, I was afraid that it wouldn't feel comfortable. After forcing myself to find people I love and clubs I'm interested in, I did find my home here. It's so important to step out of your comfort zone. Whether it means going to college out of the country, six hours from home, or 40 minutes from home, let yourself try something new, no matter how scary it may seem.
