“MOM! THERE’S A” – oh, yeah..

It dawned on me one night in the shower when I was keeping a watchful eye on a spider that my parents aren’t here to kill it for me. The fact that I’m alone keeps emerging, and realizing that I have to go do things if I want anything done is exhausting. I don’t know how my parents have done it. Which brings me to one of the hardest aspects of first year – thus far – being alone.

Now, I know I can’t necessarily claim loneliness, as there are literally thirty teenagers outside my door, but being alone is completely different.  For most first years, myself included, it’s the first time you’re away from every family member and every friend. It’s hard to get adjusted and find your place, in this place.  If you weren’t the most independent child, you’ll have to learn a lot of new things.  For instance, this week I’ve done the following for the very first time: used an ATM machine, shopped for groceries, washed my clothes, and squished a spider.  But, at the risk of sounding like a cliché-laced-country song, that’s part of growing up. That is what we’re all doing here at University, is it not? Besides the obvious mission to graduate with a degree, we’re all here to become adult-like individuals, and even against our will, we will all leave here differently than we came.

The second hardest part of being away from every soul you know or grew up with is missing them. It’s as simple as that. It’s awful to miss your parents, and your sisters, and your dog, and your room. But, University is a privilege, as is any form of education, that is not granted to everyone. Try not to waste this opportunity by wishing you were somewhere else, with someone else. This is a lesson I’ve had to teach myself when I was skyping a best friend who is 4,000 km away.  Take the opportunities given to you at UBC, because there are plenty.  It’s fully within your rights to be homesick, just try not to let that ruin the experience of University, especially if you’re lucky enough to be accepted to an amazing establishment like UBC!