Maintaining The Positive Changes As You Transition From School To Summer | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Maintaining The Positive Changes As You Transition From School To Summer

17
Maintaining The Positive Changes As You Transition From School To Summer
flikr

Our first year of college is a time of development, both academically and emotionally. We undergo such drastic change from all the new influences we are receiving at a time where we have a freedom that is unmatched by any other period in our lives. Then we return home for the summer. Suddenly there are rules again, parents to report back to, and, if your transition is anything like mine (Los Angeles, California back to Boise, Idaho), drastically less going on any given day. But, beyond just the issue of freedom, there is also the question of how much we changed while at school. When we return back home we’re all, at least to some extent, trying to reconcile the person we were before school with the person we are now.

It’s a cliche, but so many of us leave for college hoping, as all the movies and books promise, that we will answer the big “who am I?”. We’re all looking for what it is we want out of relationships, our education, a career, etc. Personally, though I still have plenty of questions regarding those topics, when I prepared to return home, I knew that I had made progress, yet I was terrified that this progress would have been for nothing. I was afraid that, being back in my home environment, I would turn back into the person I was before I started school. To some extent I was right in this fear; even after only a month home, I can tell that in small ways I have reverted back to how I was (mannerisms, sayings, etc.). On a bigger scale though, there are parts of myself that I allowed to change drastically enough while at school, that I can hardly remember how they used to be. These are the aspects that the, realistically short, period of time at home will not be able to take back.

At home I had never been one to talk about the big things in my life, or rather, I could talk about events in a detached way, but would never elaborate on my own interpretation or even try to put into words how I was being affected. Whether it be with my friends or my family, I was afraid to express the things I was feeling. Like many colleges, Occidental put a focus on openness, in hopes of creating a stronger dialogue regarding topics such as race, mental health and sexual assault. When I arrived at Oxy, I was constantly told to talk about how I felt, any issues I had, and anything that I was going through; this concept was completely new to me at the time. This was not an easy transition for me, and by no means have I become completely comfortable talking about everything in my life. I am still slow to trust and slow to open up, but I now understand the vitality of allowing people to know how I feel.

I am a strong believer that we are a product of our environment; I believe that the people that surround us and the place that we are in have a profound impact on our behaviors and attitudes. However, I also know it to be true that our environment and these factors are what we see them as; they can only truly alter us if we allow them to. Though I may see slight shifts in my behavior between me when I’m with my friends at school, me when I’m with my friends from home, and the me I am with my family, these are not drastic nor defining factors of who I am. My newly found ability to discuss my past, my emotions, my issues and the things that make up who I am is not something I will allow to change.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

996
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1896
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments