Choosing a College by Anna
Choosing a college was really tough for me. What did I want from a school? How far away did I wanna go?
Were there programs at the university that would interest me? But a huge question for me was, should I base my college decision on what others wanted of me. Now I’m not talking parents, because as much as I hate to admitt it, the contributed a lot to my education through high school and now entering college; but rather my relationships with my best friends, and most of all my boyfriend.
Let me step back and give you some background on above mentioned relationships. My best friend and I have been friends since 5th grade, even when I transferred to a private high school and she stayed at my old one, we continued to stay tight. It was hard at first, because my freshman year in high school we were both trying to fit in with the crowds and make a name for ourselves, so we were more distant that year than usual, but we kept in touch. After we found our niche, we came back together. That same year, I started dating this guy I had been interested in since middle school. We really were quite a pair, and that love thing, it was incredible. The issue between us though, was college, he was a year older than me, and we were deciding how to handle it. Finally, he decided to go 200 miles away, and when I graduated, I’d follow suit. Great plan right? Not so much.
As it came down to the wire of me choosing a college, we broke up. It was absolutely devastating. But as cliche as it sounds, everything happens for a reason. After a lot of “soul searching,” I relized that college is time for me. I had a great relationship with this guy, but now its time to focus on what I need in order to fulfill my goals. Even if that means leaving people I love behind. If its as great a relationship as you think, it will always be there, no matter what.
The point being is that resistance about leaving behind childhood friends and boyfriends/girlfriends is normal. But college is filled with many different people, and regardless of if you have someone during the time, just have fun. How often are you gonna have a couple years that are all about you? Take the time and enjoy it, and no matter what, don’t let anyone hold you back. More soon.
Anna