I Wish I Knew by Chris

I Wish I Knew by Chris - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

I'm only a freshman. It hasn't been that long since I was in RHS, playing football, living at home, seeing friends I've known since daycare. All I wanted to do was go away. Anywhere. Well, not really anywhere. Just really live away from home. I even would've lived at the college right next to my town - oh, that's WestConn.

What my high school self would appreciate hearing is that when friends call, no excuses. Go be with them. It is a bit lonely here. I'd never tell my mom or dad. It's really because I am a freshman. Even though one of my roommates is from my hometown and we played football and ran track together, he's got his own life. I've got mine. But the alone time and being about 12 hours away from all that is familiar is odd.

Don't get me wrong. I'm on Facebook and use my phone and video chat and Face time every day. My dudes are in college, too. One goes to WestConn and lives at home because he is working in our town. Everybody else is like me a few hours away. We will see each other at Christmas but still. It isn't what I first thought.

My mom went to college where it was just girls. She told me she was lonely at first but made friends. I would never tell her she was right in a way. But I am making friends so she won't know. She and my dad who was in the army for a while after school said you'll get to know people. Just be careful when you do.

I made the track team and throw javelin. I've made a few friends of guys on the team. We hang out at the dining hall and in my place. They are like my friends at home. We play basketball and practice and go to study hall every day. That is ok because I'm getting to know people in there.

My dogs miss me. My parents tell me that my favorite one goes in my room and looks for me. I can't have a pet or even her here so that is what is bad. I miss my dogs. I can have fish but they only swim by.

I guess I would tell my high school self to see your friends a lot. Then you will have memories. I do have memories.