I know it’s been said a billion times before, but college truly is a time for you to find, explore, and embrace parts within yourself that you may not have known were there. It’s a time to learn, grow, and experience new places and new chapters in life. As exciting as that is, it can also be very isolating for some people, having them second guess if their school is the right school for them – I was one of those people.
Backtrack to my second semester of freshman year – I had just moved up to Chico as I stayed home for the first semester (shoutout COVID), joined a sorority, and quickly became close with my two roommates. I was adjusting to being away from home for the first time and living with roommates, along with branching out and meeting new people. School was completely online so I truly had nothing to do all day except hang out with friends and chill. Sounds like a dream, right?
Being from SoCal, Chico was a huge transition for me. I could not believe that I, the youngest child who had been babied since birth, took a leap to move nine hours away from home. It was nice at first – that feeling of independence and adulting – but it quickly became very isolating.
I genuinely enjoy online classes and working remotely, but I think due to every class being that way back then, it was difficult for me to adjust. I wasn’t able to have a set schedule and routine, and it was strange. After my little “honeymoon phase” with Chico had passed, I started becoming very homesick, longing for my family and hometown friends. My two roommates would go home nearly every other weekend, and I envied that. I was happy that they were able to do that for themselves when they felt like they needed their hometown reset, but I also grew jealous of that opportunity, one that I could have had for myself, but chose otherwise. So, I made the decision that the following fall, I would apply to different schools closer to home to potentially transfer.
Sophomore year came and was easily one of the most eye-opening years of my life for a number of reasons – that’s a story for another time. Still feeling homesick nearly every day, in March, I got accepted into Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State. I remember the joy and pride I felt when receiving those emails, while simultaneously realizing that I had a huge decision ahead of me.
The next few months consisted of an insane number of pros and cons lists, campus visits, and talking the ears off of my friends and roommates 24/7 asking them what I should do (if you were one of those people, thank you and I love you). Freshman and first semester sophomore year me thought I knew what I wanted, but so much can happen in such a short amount of time. For one, I didn’t think I’d even get into any schools, and once I was accepted, it felt a little too real. I also, as said before, met so many new and wonderful people that I gravitated toward instantaneously.
So, after months of back-and-forth, I was talking with my mom and she could see it in my face – as much as I wanted myself to, I didn’t want to leave Chico. I wasn’t ready to leave a place where I already had a life, friends, and a sense of belonging. It took me some time, but I eventually saw all of the beauty that Chico has to offer and the uniqueness that sets itself apart from other schools. From finding beauty in a small town where not a day goes by that you don’t pass someone you know on the street or bump into a friend on campus, finding deep friendships with those in my major and sorority, testing my intelligence and capabilities in various aspects, living with 20 women, to now being in my last semester, Chico State was always the school for me, my 19-year-old self just didn’t know it yet.
It’s safe to say that I’m very happy and content that I stayed. These past three and a half years in Chico have been some of the hardest, yet best years of my life so far. Chico has given me more than I could have ever asked for – new experiences, life-long friendships, a sense of belonging, and independence. Yeah, some days are better than others, but in the long run, I know I’ll look back and be grateful that I didn’t go to a commuter school, rather I experienced life in a little college town that has a rich, close-knit community. So, to everyone who I have met here – those I have shared laughter, tears, stress, hangxiety, and happiness with – thank you.
If you’re currently in the same boat as I was, I wish you all the luck, I know how stressful it can be. Remember to lean on your loved ones, make lists, try to visualize yourself in these next years, and most importantly, listen to your gut and hope to find some answers as to what you might do. It’s an intimidating process and feeling, but just know that you will end up exactly where you’re meant to be!