Leaving Home and Going to College

While college is often hailed as the best four years of your life, the adjustment to being away from home for the first time can be overwhelming.

The following is a guest blog post from Julie Allison, a Syracuse University senior and Coldwell Banker Commercial summer intern. 

When it came time to apply to colleges, I knew for sure that I wanted to be somewhere different than my home state, New Jersey. So when I was accepted to Syracuse University, I readily agreed to separate from everything I knew to live in a quad with three other girls. I was very excited but also nervous to go somewhere I knew nothing about besides the brutal winters that everyone seems to mention.  Little did I know that would be one of the many challenges of going away to school.

The excitement of starting a new chapter lasted for some time until I finally realized, you’re not in Jersey anymore Julie. There were a lot of new things to adapt to including: complete freedom, sharing a bedroom and bathroom, dining hall food and living on a floor with 30+ other people. These challenges also came with more responsibility especially when dealing with money, time management and people.  One of the most difficult adjustments I had to make was sharing a room with someone I hardly knew. Add the stress of a homework load I had never experienced before and I quickly became very homesick.

Within three weeks I even found myself on a plane, yes plane, on my way home to see my family and friends. I really missed my family, friends and the delicious bagel sandwiches that no one in Syracuse could ever seem to replicate.

But there is undeniably something Syracuse has that New Jersey just doesn’t for me, the opportunity to grow, become an adult and meet and learn people from various parts of the world. Throughout my time in college it became easier to adapt once I realized the lessons I learned from leaving the comfort of my home. I’m happy that I was ultimately able to meet new friends who helped me find a place where I could get some delicious pizza (thanks, Varsity!).

Freshman year was a time of important life lessons and once I came to grips with all of the opportunities there are for me at college, being away from home turned out to be just as sweet. I also now have a newfound appreciation for my family and their unconditional love and support…and obviously the home cooked meals!

There’s no place like home, but there’s something quite comforting about the journey and lessons you learn when you decide to leave.

college cover photo

Lindsay is the the Director of Media Engagement for Coldwell Banker Real Estate and manages the brand’s media and social media department. She is also a licensed real estate professional. In 2017 & 2018, she was named a top 20 social influencer in the real estate industry in the annual Swanepoel 200 power rankings.

Lindsay lives in Livingston, NJ with her college sweetheart and now husband Joe and rwelcomed another Joe into her life as she became a mom in June 2016.

Subscribe to Blue Matter and get the latest updates

6 Comments

  1. Leaving Home and Going to College | Janet Glowacki's Blog
    August 25, 2014

    […] post Leaving Home and Going to College appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue […]

    Reply
  2. Leaving Home and Going to College | Earl Forbes Blog
    August 25, 2014

    […] post Leaving Home and Going to College appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue […]

    Reply
  3. Leaving Home and Going to College | My Website
    August 25, 2014

    […] Leaving Home and Going to College […]

    Reply
  4. Leaving Home and Going to College | Patrick Lim's Blog
    August 26, 2014

    […] post Leaving Home and Going to College appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue […]

    Reply
  5. Leaving Home and Going to College | Donna Dagley's Blog
    August 26, 2014

    […] post Leaving Home and Going to College appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue […]

    Reply
  6. Leaving Home and Going to College | Elouise Margita's Blog
    August 26, 2014

    […] post Leaving Home and Going to College appeared first on Coldwell Banker Blue […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Share on Facebook Share on Twiiter Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram Share on Email