Moving On

One of the most important things you need to keep in mind when coming to college is the idea of moving on versus holding on. What you need to do is find a balance. Don’t let go of everything you had from high school and your hometown, but don’t hold on to too much.

I came to college with a boyfriend of a few months. I was happy that I would have someone who I already knew when I arrived on campus, just to make the transition a little bit easier. In the beginning of the year, everything was just fine. But that began to change.

During my first semester, I pledged a co-ed fraternity so I could meet new people and get involved. This definitely bugged my boyfriend because I would spend a lot of time with my new friends and I was extremely busy with the pledging process. I was ready to move on from high school and find new friends and make the most of my first year of college. My boyfriend, on the other hand, wasn’t getting involved and spent much of his time in his room studying, or whatever he was doing. He also kept going home to hang out with his friends who didn’t go away to school while I definitely wanted to stay on campus, get involved and make new friends. He was upset that I had a new life and he didn’t.

After a while I didn’t want to spend as much time with my boyfriend because he was getting on my nerves. He did not like the fact that I was spending the majority of my free time with other people and he was constantly telling me that I had changed. I know I changed. I’m glad I’ve changed. College changes people, usually for the better. I know that I’ve changed for the better.

I have had so many amazing experiences and already have the best friends I could ever imagine. My boyfriend on the other hand was extremely lonely and continued to talk to his high school friends all the time.

So in case you didn’t figure this out already, I broke up with my boyfriend and after a while of being upset about the situation, I have had a much better time here. I didn’t feel like I needed to check in with him anymore, or see if he would approve of what I would do every night. Since I broke up with him, college has been the most amazing experience thus far.

So remember, hold on to things that are close to your heart, but it is important to let some things go. Allow yourself to grow and change, but don’t forget to keep in touch with your best friends (and your family) often.