Leaving home, leaving my girlfriend, my family, even leaving my dog was going to be so hard. I was going off to college. When I was in high school I thought it would never end, but now I wish it hadn’t. I didn’t feel like I was ready, but it was time, and in time I would learn to let go and become a real grown up at university.

I stayed in the dorms my freshman year. Every single dorm room was packed floor to ceiling with modern conveniences like mini fridges, rice cookers, microwave ovens, or whatever could fit into these tiny rooms. They were cold, plain walls that looked like cinder block and painted a drab white. Thank God you shared the room, as even though it made it even more cramped, it felt pretty lonely in your little box.

My first week or so was absolutely mad with me running around like a crazed chicken trying to find my classrooms. It was hard enough just trying to keep track of my class times, never mind locations. One day I was running late and came careening down a corridor and crashed right into a professor. I knocked his pipe out his hand. He didn’t look pleased as he held out one of those handheld vacuums for me to clean up the tobacco.

I eventually got used to it, started to meet people, and found my way fitting in socially with new friends. I still missed my girlfriend back home though. She was still in High School, absolutely gorgeous with long brown hair and deep emerald eyes. I missed her so much. She missed me too, but not as much as I missed her, apparently. She filled the hole I’d left with another guy and told me on the phone one night it was finished.

Thankfully, there was plenty to distract myself with on campus. Besides the exams and studying, I’d met some other girls and dated for a while myself. It seemed like I was at a different party every single night! Yes, all this party did get old eventually, and that’s why I moved off campus.

Myself and six other guys went in on an apartment downtown. I managed to grab the biggest bedroom and had a full size loft bed, and my desk for my computer underneath. It was great! I cycled to campus for classes each day and ended up getting a great workout.

My first year at college had it’s challenges, but eventually it worked out so well. I’ll always remember those days fondly and recommend every young person who feels hesitant about all the extra freedom to let go and just enjoy it.

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