On Being an At-Home College Student

For an 18 year old who’s never been away from home for more than a week at a time, the idea of staying home to attend college at a local university sounds somewhat appealing. I can sleep in my own bed, afford to have a car of my own, and not have to be far from my good friends who are still in high school. It would also be a lot cheaper for me in the long run. And I don’t have to do all of the ridiculous packing that other kids going away to college do. So I thought to myself, Why not? OU is a great school, it’s not as expensive as other universities, and it’s close to home. And in a few weeks, I’m proud to say that I will be a Golden Grizzly.

But nobody told me how terribly lonely it was going to be.

At least to start, I should clarify. As I’m saying goodbye to many of my college-bound friends, some of whom I’ve grown up with from elementary school, I can’t help but to feel that I am in a constant state of boredom and longing for company from friends who, now, I will not see in person for months at a time. I spend much of my newly acquired free time trying to find ways to make the clock move faster, just to repeat the process the following day.

I know that this is partly my fault, and that I should be putting more energy into finding some new hobby to keep myself occupied. After spending the last three summers with my high school’s marching band, I’m not quite certain how to find something that can make me as happy or keep me as busy as band once did. As of today, the band kids are beginning their week long away camp, and I can’t really put into words how much I would give to be with them right now. Or just doing something every day, so that I have routine in my life again. I slept in until 11 today. Freaking 11. I’m at least awake by 10:30 at the latest. And now I’m keeping a blog. What is the world coming to?

Just kidding, I’ve wanted to make one of these for awhile.

So what now?

Besides getting ready for college, I will continue to live vicariously through my friends and occupy my time with other activities. I’m actually excited to be keeping a blog. I kinda feel like the BBC John Watson (that one’s for you Maryellen, thought you’d appreciate the reference ;D).

I totally got off track from my original post topic, but alas, this is my blog, and much more fun my way. And with that, I wrap up this first post.

Catch ya later, people of the Internet!