Have you ever heard the saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got til’ it’s gone”? This phrase couldn’t be more true for a new college student. Although campus life is exciting and new, I’ve found that there are so many things I’ve come to miss from my old life. They seem so insignificant when I think about them, but they were still a part of who I was before I came here.
Probably the biggest change since arriving here has been the utter lack of privacy. Even while growing up with two siblings, I always had my own room to retreat to when I needed my own space. Although my roommate and I get along very well, I still miss being able to go somewhere to be alone with myself. I have learned however to cope with this by taking walks by the water, and enjoying the amazing environment around me. It’s soothing and I’m able to have my alone time without interfering with my roommate’s schedule.
It seems silly, but I have begun to miss singing in the shower. I am willing to admit that I love to sing. Whether it sounds good, is an entirely different topic. My family at home is used to hearing my ever so talented voice, but I’m not sure St. Mary’s is ready for it. This probably ties into the privacy aspect, but nevertheless it has been a luxury that I never really appreciated until I arrived.
Another luxury I’ve taken for granted is being able to drive. Most freshmen don’t bring a car to campus. Not only is there not much room for it, but the lot that all freshmen have to park their cars is so incredibly far away, that driving isn’t even worth it. The parking lot has rightly earned the name “Guam” because it is so remote. Over the summer, I drove my car every single day, and since I’ve come to St. Mary’s, I haven’t sat behind the wheel in over a month. Needless to say, it’s been very hard not being able to drive, especially because it has forced me to become dependent on those who did bring their cars to campus.
Although I love the food at the dining hall, nothing can beat real home-cooked meals. Something about the food my parents cook makes it that much better. It reminds me of my home life and even though it sounds cliché, you can tell that a lot of love was put in it. Nothing personal to the St. Mary’s staff, but I miss the food I ate at home. It was just another aspect of my life that I completely took for granted.
I never realized how much these little things meant to me until I lost them. It has allowed me to look at things from a totally different perspective, and appreciate what I have. Despite these feelings however, the new experiences and opportunities here in college far outweigh what I’ve lost. I’ve tried so many new things while I’ve been here and I can’t wait to continue learning and experience things I normally wouldn’t be willing to experience.
If there is a lesson to be drawn from this, I would say that it is to appreciate what you have right now, because you never know how long it will be available to you. At the same time, take advantage of new things and don’t be afraid to experience. You might find something you love. And finally, don’t take the little things for granted, because it’s the little things that you remember most.
