My First Family In College 🏡
Unlike a lot of other teenagers, I wasn’t scared to be alone when I entered college. I was actually pretty okay with my own company. It’s not that I believed I could survive college entirely on my own, but I’ve always known how hard it is for me to find people I can genuinely be comfortable with. I was anxious, of course, but I felt at peace being by myself. I didn’t feel the pressure to make friends on the very first day. And so, for the first month of classes, I barely talked to anyone in our room— except for Ken since he's my teammate. I wasn’t trying to isolate myself; it just felt natural to keep to myself. Funny enough, I didn’t meet my first real college family in college, but rather, just before it even began. Before my freshman year officially started, I joined a sports organization in PUP, the CAL Pep Squad. I didn’t know anyone, and I had no background in cheerleading, so I was hesitant to go. I wasn’t confident in myself at all. But from the moment I stepped in, they made me feel welcome. They never made me feel small or out of place. I met people who were kind, real, and warm— people who made me feel seen, loved, and respected. Growing up as an only child, I always wished I had an older sister. And now, being in this team, I feel like I’ve found that. I’ve found friends who feel like family. Honestly, I can’t imagine my college life without them. There are days when I think about quitting the sport. It gets tiring, and there are moments when I doubt myself. But then I remember why I stay. I want to keep learning. I want to make more memories with these people. And the idea of not seeing them every week makes me feel a little empty. That’s why I always choose to stay. I still can’t believe it’s already been a year with them. Time really does fly when you’re with the right people. I hope we continue to hold on to these connections, for as long as we can.
- friendship
- growth
- connections