My First Time Away from Home

"My First Time Away From Home"

Leaving to go to college was my very first time away from home, and it took a lot of adjusting to a new surrounding. I didn't have my mom right by my side anymore and I needed to become more independent on doing things on my own. Adjusting to a new city, community, and school was a challenge because I was used to being in my own city, with my old friends, at my old school. I often got homesick and wanted to go home, but I soon adjusted.

At first when I originally started taking about getting out of the house, and going to school I didn't realize that it would take so much adjusting. I'm used to having my own room at home, but when I went away to college I had to share a room with a total stranger. We are friends but are totally different. I had to get used to her TV being on at night, listening to loud music, and different bedtime schedules. Although we are different, we have become close friends because she is the person that I spend all of my time with. We talk about everything, share our belongings, and help each other out. It is hard to believe that I am so close to a person that was a total stranger less that two months ago.

Being away from home has made me more independent, because I have had to do things on my own. When I was home, my mom did everything; from cooking for me to doing my laundry. I have had to learn how to budget the money that I have and make groceries that will last for a while. I don't have any income coming in so I have to wait for my mom to send me money. Going to the store to get food is very different because I'm used to just going to my kitchen and getting whatever I need. The bad thing is that after I finish shopping I would have to sneak my food up to my room, otherwise all of my friends would want me to give them some and it would be gone before I could even get up to my room. Laundry is another thing that I have had to learn how to do after leaving my mother's wing. At home I was able to just put my clothes in the hamper and the next thing I knew I had a pile of clean, fluffy, clothes ready to be folded on my bed. I feel that my mom has spoiled me by doing laundry for me up to now, but I am now independent for having to do it on my own.

Moving to Austin was a major change in my life because I had no family or friends here; they were all in San Antonio. My friends and