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SBU | Life

My Home Away From Home

Alexandra Iannarelli Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

The idea of moving from home right after high school has always been taboo to me. I always thought that I would go to a college near home so I was still able to live with my mom and older brother. Oh boy, was I wrong.

My first plan was to go to one of the universities within my area, so I was able to commute, then only have a 30-minute drive to classes every day. It sounded like a perfect plan, but I ended up doing the exact opposite.

Instead, I now live 2 hours away from home, reside on campus, and have a 5-minute walk to my classes each day. Very different from my original idea.

At first, I was terrified. I was moving far from home, leaving my friends and family, and I didn’t know anyone else on campus besides my roommate. Everything was rapidly piling on. The number of changes I was about to put myself into petrified me. 

I was so nervous that all of these adjustments would overwhelm me, and I would become too scared and possibly change my mind. I wish I knew what would happen in the near future to calm my past nerves. Everything would become amazing. 

The first week was rough to say the least; My roommate dropped out the first day of classes, and I officially knew no one. I felt so alone, but I was determined to make the best out of it. 

Within my classes, I did my best to talk to everyone I could and make friends with the differing people I would see throughout the days around campus. I will say, it was a pretty bumpy week for me, and it was difficult being by myself in my dorm. Thankfully, not long after, my new roommate moved in, and we have been inseparable ever since. 

After the move-in, new friends seemed to come rushing in. Shortly, I found a great group of friends and have been making more and more companions daily. In each of my classes, there are a couple of people I can always rely on to ask how my day has been and have other friendly chatter. 

Since finding my new friends, I have felt so seen and have become so comfortable in my own self. Living here on campus has changed me for the better and has given me a new home. 

Although I had a rough start to begin with, everything turned around for the best. I have found my new place where I can call my home. 

I have loved every second being here with the company of my friends. Doing silly activities around campus, having movie nights, and even something as simple as getting lunch together. With all the adjustments I have put myself through when moving away, in the end, I don’t regret a thing. 

Even though the idea of moving far from home has never been ideal to me, it was worth it in the end to find my home away from home.

Alexandra Iannarelli

SBU '29

Alexandra Iannarelli is in her second year with Her Campus! She is a sophomore at St. Bonaventure and is majoring in public health, minoring in health science, and is in the occupational therapy masters program! Alex will be writing weekly articles about anything in her life or even silly things happening around campus.

So far she has been involved in Her Campus, of course, and SBU Power Yoga. Beyond the clubs she is in, Alex also works on campus as a math tutor and loves to help and teach people.

In high school, Alex played volleyball, ran and did hurdles for the track team, and for about 9 years was a competitive cheerleader! Although quiet at times she is pretty outgoing and loves trying new things when the opportunity arises. Traveling is her favorite and she hopes to travel the world one day! Little things about Alex include her love for collecting records! She has multiple genres of music in her collection and she hopes to continue to expand said collection. Another little hobby of hers is going to the gym and doing yoga. Alex is into yoga, pilates, and she has been going to the gym for a little over two years now. She has been known to be somewhat of a health-nut, in her dorm there are protein bars galore and many other typical healthy snacks. She can't wait to continue her years in Her Campus sharing her stories.