Graduating from highschool was one of the best experiences of my life. I was finally done with the many years of going to school at 8 in the morning. Living to the sound of a bell telling me to go to the next class, when to eat, when to go to sports class, etc. was done. I was very relieved to get a break and feel accomplished. I was pumped to start a new chapter of my life!!

Moving on to college was a huge step in my life. Not only being at a school with way more students than I was used to, living in dorm rooms with a lot of other girls, the horrible meal plan, and the whole freshman experience, I also decided to move 668 miles from home to go to college.

First semester was a blast! Being in a new place by myself was very exciting! I had so much going on that I never really was homesick. I was having an amazing time. As time passed and my second semester came, things had started to change. I was pretty much used to everything now and so the excitement started to fade when due dates were coming up, and pages to read started adding up. After a couple months I was getting homesick probably due to all the stress that college was bringing. These stressful situtations started to make the homesickness worse and practically unbearable.

Through this time I started to turn to my parents for words of wisdom and comfort. It was through many talks late at night with them on the phone that I realized how much they could actually understand what I was going through. At first I would listen to their advice but not really take it. But over time I started to actually truly listen and take in the advice and apply it to my life. They really helped me and I think over the rest of the semester I have been able to know my parents more deeply on a different level. I have been able to talk to them and let them counsel me.

Having two addresses, one my real home and one my college home, has presented me with the great ability to have a better relationship with my family. Being far from home changes things. Even though my second semester has been a struggle I have really thanked God that He has used it for good. I would not trade getting to have a better relationship with my parents over a great semester at college. I have learned so many things from them just by sitting back and taking the wisdom they have acquired over the years.