I won't say that I'm angry that my beautiful yet overly anxious mother is extremely protective of me. Yes, I know that most young adults in my generation are without parents. Some parents abandon their children, and they aren't able to experience what I'm able to experience in college. I'm lucky enough to have a parent that truly cares about my well being.

But, when you care too much, how does that affect your life when you grow into an adult?

To anyone who read my article about my Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis, I was raised by a single mother who did everything she could to provide for my needs. In elementary and high school, I had friends who I'd want to hang out with outside of regular classes. I'd get invites to birthday parties, cookouts, trips to the movies and the mall. I'd be willing to go.

But, my mother's answer was always "No," or "I'd love for you to go, but..."

I was angry. My oldest sibling always went places with her friends. But, if I wanted to go places, I'd have to go with my mother only. There were many excuses I'd hear.

Like, "Philadelphia is dangerous. You could be shot and killed," or "I don't know about that area," or "I don't want to worry about you while you're there."

I get it. I'm not a fan of Philadelphia myself. There's a lot of violence and things happening every day.

One guy, who would have attended Penn State University this year, was shot and killed in North Philadelphia. He received a partial scholarship for the track team. It's a very sad story.

Safety is key, but it shouldn't keep you from doing the things you enjoy. Don't be a safety freak like SpongeBob.

But, when my mother and I have these debates, it seems like I'm never able to defend my points about why I deserve space. Then, it ends up with me being the bad guy for wanting to live a normal life and experience the outdoors.

Before I moved to Penn State in 2016, a relative of mine told my mother about a location tracker app called Life360. The app, obviously, tracks where you are, where you're going and even your battery life percentage. At first, I was okay with using this app with my mom because it would allow me to see if she's okay as well.

This app, however, has drained me for the past two years. With constant arguments, invasion of privacy, invasion of social life, it led me to stress, poor grades and weight gain.

Yes, weight gain.

I go to a college that has so many policies that are enforced. I've attended orientations, RA meetings, and even have the resources on my phone to ensure my safety.

It's okay to communicate with your parents to let them know you're safe. I'm sure of that. Considering I live 4 hours away, of course, my mother should be worried. But when you worry yourself to the point of stalking the location tracker every day and night, calling me during social hours, knowing I'm in a safe space, it's like I'm being smothered.

When you're a college student, you're going to do stupid things. You're going to be curious. You're going to want to go out with your friends or go to a party. It's all about the experience. You only spend four years as an undergraduate.

I'm a junior.

A night ago, I went to my friends' apartment around 9:00 P.M. to catch up on life, listen to music, watch TV shows, and play Cards Against Humanity. This lasted around 3:00 A.M.

But, of course, once 3:00 A.M. hit, I kept getting constant phone calls and annoying texts like, "It's 3 A.M., why are you out so late?"

"I'm sick of this. Anything can happen out there at night."

Of course, anything can happen. But there's a difference between being aware and being scared, and I'm not going to be scared of anything.

Also, I wish my mother would realize that while anything can happen everywhere, Penn State stresses the importance of safety. There are "crime alerts" like thefts, sexual misconduct, public intoxication, and much more. I see the crime alerts on my phone, my e-mails, and posted across campus.

There are also resources on campus for those who do not feel safe to walk alone. "Safe Walk."

If I felt unsafe, I would have called someone to walk with me to my dorm. But, I haven't felt unsafe. I've felt aware. I keep my distance and I keep myself around people I know aren't dangerous. I observe people around me.

I go to school to get an education, that's always first. But, I also come to school to break away from the overprotective household I'm in. After all, every kid eventually breaks away from their parents.

For two summers, I have been forced to stay in the house and go places once in a while when it's beneficial to my parents and not to me.

I'm not a kid anymore. I shouldn't have to rely on anyone to give me the freedom of outdoors.

I'm at Penn State, and when I'm here, the air is fresh, there are so many places to go and I know my way around.

But, all in all, I love my mother, but I wish that I could spend my last two years in college not worrying about if she's worried about me and going to the extremes to ensure that.

Hypothetically, I don't want to be in the shower or with friends and if I happen to miss her call, then she'd call the police.

At the same time, I don't want to spend every day in college calling home. I want to have space to not only do my work but make the most of my time here with the friends I'm happy I've made.

There are times when I get texts from her while I study for exams, especially around midnight. Text messages and social media alone are distractions for me, and that's why I end up taking exams under pressure and not doing as well.

Based on how expensive Penn State can be, college is not 99% education and 1% fun. You're paying for classes, room, and board, food, transportation and activity fees. Activity fees. Activity. A college student has activities.

I also have so many clubs and organizations to bolster my major.

After I receive my degree, how overprotective can my mom be? Especially if I'm working late nights to write articles, going place to place to report news. That's an important job that requires me to go everywhere at any time of the day, no matter how dangerous or unsafe it may be.

What would you say to the tons of news anchors and reporters who stand in front of cameras to report the news?

That's just an important question to my mother.

I just want to know what will it take for us to reach steady ground and agree that it's okay to have the freedom and still be aware.

I'm grateful for having protective parents, but I don't want this to potentially threaten the dreams I have in life. I can't stay scared of the world if it's all I have to survive and become successful.

To any student who is in the same predicament, I'd love to hear your experiences. I know that there are parents that are this way, and they deserve to be the way they are, but to a point.

Also, if you're a Penn State student, whether a first-year or upper class, who actually feels unsafe, just read through these campus safety resources.