"When Life Happens, Don't Face it Alone" by Erin

"When Life Happens, Don't Face it Alone" by Erin - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I was never exceptionally close to my parents. High school was a battle for all of us. We had the typical “I know, Dad” and the “Can you just let me do this?!” argument more than once. That’s why when college came around, I was more than ready to bolt and claim my independence. There was something about living on my own without my parents regulating my every move that thrilled me.

Then, college happened. During the first few weeks, I barely thought of home. My roommate and I got along just dandy, classes were a breeze, and the food was phenomenal. But slowly, it started to unravel. With independence came responsibility, and that was something I wasn’t prepared for in the slightest. Not only did stress began to affect my sleep schedule -which my grades clearly reflected- but I began to lose interest in my major. I was terrified. I had planned out every single detail of my college experience since I was fourteen, and now that I was really here, things seemed to be bursting into flames all around me.

That was when I started to appreciate everything my parents did for me. Not only had they drove the nineteen hours from Washington state to Arizona to drop me off at a very expensive aeronautical university, but they had done so out of pure excitement to help me begin the next chapter of my life. My Dad co-signed a $50,000 loan so that I would be able to pursue my dreams with a passion he envied. My step-mom, she put hand-written notes on everything I unpacked to remind me how much I was loved. My roommate -despite our differences- encouraged me and helped me remember why I was putting myself through the stress of college. I couldn’t have had a better support system.

Already halfway through my first year in college, I realized something that I wish I knew as a high school student: it’s okay if nothing happens as it’s planned- that’s what makes life enjoyable. I could strategize every class I would take, how many friends I would have, and how often I would be able to afford Chick-fil-a -and trust me, I did- but it wouldn’t change the simple fact that things happen and I can’t control everything. I realized that growing up is all about adjusting, exploring and appreciating the little things.

Even just a semester into college has taught me to value those around me and to never take anything for granted. I’ve learned that it’s okay to have a mental breakdown and freak out -it happens to the best of us- but the most important thing to remember is that I can keep going. I can make something of my future and help others the way they’ve helped me. The only catch is, I can’t do it on my own. If I could go back and change my senior quote in the yearbook, I would’ve wrote “When life happens, don’t face it alone.” That’s something we all could have benefitted from knowing in high school. Now, it’s up to me to keep it in mind.