You don
’t realize what you have until its gone. Living at home under
the security of your parent’s wing makes you take for granted their
support and love. I had been away from home for three months and
had come home about three times during that first quarter.
You don’t realize what you have until its gone. Living at home under the security of your parent’s wing makes you take for granted their support and love. I had been away from home for three months and had come home about three times during that first quarter. I didn’t miss home at all when I went away.
I fell in love with the city of Boston and my newfound freedom. I loved knowing that I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted without having to answer to anyone but myself. I also found great friends here who are not only fun to spend time with but who I trust with all my heart. The problem I’ve encountered is how it feels to return to this freedom after coming home on a break for about a month. I was home again, back in the nest with my loving supportive parents and it felt wonderful.
I didn’t want to come back to Boston. I wanted to stay in Morgan Hill with best friends and my family. I feel safe in Morgan Hill. I love being home and being with everything that is familiar to me. Now that I’m back in Boston for the second quarter of my freshman year, I’m not sure what I think about living here and my decision to move so far from home.
I flew home for Christmas break on Dec. 9, and needed to get right to work. I found myself with about $100 left in my Boston bank account, and $25 in my California account. Desperately seeking money for presents for my loved ones and the spending cash I would need for the rest of the school year, I began working for my parents.
My parents own the 111th Aerial Photography Squadron in Morgan Hill. Their clients range from the San Francisco 49ers to Pebble Beach and even the Golden Gate Bridge. When I work for them, I work as an independent contractor doing their database on the computer, filling in gaps in their records, answering the phone and even doing common household chores that need to be done.
I have a pretty good deal at home. A lot of students receive monthly checks from their parents to support them during college. While that type of set-up wouldn’t be bad, I respect the way my parents are helping me earn my money. I’d rather spend money I’ve earned rather than money that has been handed to me.
But now the holidays are over, Christmas break is at an end and I flew back into Boston on Jan. 2, during a snowstorm. It felt strange because I had just spent a beautiful sunny day in Monterey with my mother the day before. We had enjoyed clam chowder on the deck of restaurant overlooking the waves and it was so warm we didn’t even need our sweaters. And now coming back to reality after a month of life at home wasn’t easy.
Everything also seemed to be going wrong. There was no one to meet me at the airport in Boston and I knew there wouldn’t be, but my bags were too heavy for me to carry alone and it made my Boston home-coming feel even worse. Then getting back to my dorm room, the speakers on my computer weren’t working. Having to buy books for the quarter the next morning didn’t help when the bill came to almost $500 and, well, I just miss home. I’m sure this is just a phase, and once classes begin officially I’ll feel better getting back into the swing of things.
My advice to anyone planning on leaving home for college is to be aware of what you’re getting into. Leaving home means the responsibility of life that your parents have always helped you with is now completely on your own shoulders. Depending on how far away you go, your parents will not be down the hallway to give you a hug or to pass you cash when you’re short.
Even being under the weather with the flu is something you have to deal with on your own. I guess coming back after that break has made me realize that. You have to start becoming dependent on yourself rather than on those around you. That skill is not only the most difficult to master, but also the most rewarding.
Lacey Green is a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston. Readers may contact her at
La********@ao*.com
