Miss Independent by Catherine

Miss Independent by Catherine - January 2018 Scholarship Essay

Whenever I imagined myself going to college as a child, I pictured myself walking around with newly made friends at a picture perfect campus, impressive textbooks in my arms. Being there to receive a higher education and broaden career paths was all “going to college” meant to me. Now, as a senior in high school amidst my pursuit of the perfect university for me, daydreams about my college experience are much different. I still picture myself on a beautiful campus, attending lectures and making friends. Most importantly though, I see college as an opportunity to experience independence.
Although this concept of independence connotes a sense of self confidence and eagerness to leave home, I chose this word to describe my desire to attend college fairly hesitantly. As the introverted eldest child, the prospect of leaving home is extremely daunting. It is when I am most uncomfortable and unsure, however, I learn some of the most valuable lessons life has to offer. Packing up and moving to some school hours away from home falls directly into this category, but offers me the chance to become an independent, self-sufficient adult.
Living away from the close, watchful eyes of my parents will allow me to make more of my own decisions and learn how to function in society without their constant observation. There will be hard lessons to learn, I’m sure, but what I gain from the independence of attending college away from home is a new perspective of the world. Because I will have new responsibilities I never did at home, I will gain first-hand experience on what it takes to be a functioning adult. Then I will be able to live on my own beyond college, where the safety tether to my parents isn’t as accessible.
Now, when I picture myself a few years down the road in college, I see a more sophisticated, confident young adult who has learned a thing or two about the world. I’m in my own apartment, cooking my own food, making my own doctor’s appointments, with some skills required to succeed in life. I am independent.