I had many mixed emotions about going home after my first year of college. I couldn’t leave campus to visit home or go anywhere due to COVID, so after being vaccinated and going home I was excited about some more freedom. I missed my family, and definitely the home cooked meals. I was worried about the social aspects, and thought I would be really lonely all summer. I worried about not doing enough or not doing the right things, and not having cool stories to tell people when they asked “how was your summer?” But after getting through this summer and learning about myself, these are the top three things I learned.
- People Have Changed, You Don’t Have To See Anyone You Don’t Want To.
More importantly than other people changing, YOU have changed. You have grown in a new environment. You can’t expect friendship dynamics to stay the same, and maybe those friendships weren’t serving you well anymore. This is a good change. You can make new friends or connect with people in new ways. There will be people around, or you’ll just get really good at texting your friends who live in different parts of the world.
- There’s Nothing You’re Supposed To Be Doing
Your friend got an amazing internship? That’s amazing! Your friend is taking a road trip across the country? Also awesome! You’re at work, or not doing that much? That’s great too. You don’t have to do anything with your summer. You have time and you aren’t going to be behind the curve just because you had a self care summer, worked a job, or did whatever makes you happy with your time off school!
- You Can Learn To Like Spending Time Alone
I was scared to not have friends at the beginning of the summer. I did make two super close friends from back home and I loved spending time with them. When we couldn’t hang out, I went on adventures by myself. I found fun new hobbies, discovered places I loved, and didn’t feel rushed or pressured to do anything. I found that spending time with yourself can be a lot of fun, once you get comfortable with yourself. You can make the most of your summer no matter what you’re doing!