It is easy to get caught up in a hectic life of work, school and play. But sometimes, we should slow down and remember what is truly important in life.
For many college students not living at home, Columbus Day weekend marks a time where old friends reunite, families come together, and everyone returns to the normality of their past. We leave college life behind for three days, and fall back into the routine we once knew so well. Memories come pouring back: Of high school, of holidays celebrated with relatives and of time spent with friends. We realize we love the direction our lives have taken. Yet, we should also see the importance of remembering where we are from.
The longer we spend in college, the more we become accustomed to being independent. Upperclassmen’s visits back home become more infrequent with each passing year. Even freshmen find themselves staying on campus more as bouts of homesickness subside. We enjoy our freedom and appreciate not having to answer to anyone. College also proves to be a nice escape from problems with family and friends – issues that appear minuscule when they are miles away. But the more time we spend away from home, the more distanced we become. Suddenly, our past, and the people in it, take a back seat to our new, autonomous lives.
Sitting at a family birthday party this weekend, I began to think about my life. As a freshman, I am still getting used to this new life at school. I hardly get homesick, but upon returning home, I do see the consequences of being away. Often, I feel like I have missed out on things, such as my sister’s field hockey season or spending time with an ill relative. When I visit on the weekends, I seem to notice any change, like slight alterations in my friends and family’s appearances. But most apparent to me, is my newly acquired awareness of the present and future.
Last weekend, my grandmother referred to me as “an adult,” and for some reason, the phrase hit home. At age 18, I legally am one, yet it is hard to believe the label applies to me. I can no longer be that person who ignores the future until it has to be dealt with. It is now my responsibility to have a handle over my behavior and decisions. Among other things, this includes which relationships I choose to keep, and which ones I let slip away.
College and home are often separate worlds. While away, we have different friends, different schedules and different manners of living. Yet, when we return, everything falls back into place. If we do not keep in touch with the people that helped shape us as individuals, we would be denying an important period in our lives. We may have to work harder to continue friendships and relationships, but if they are important in the first place, it will not seem like effort.
People often wonder what is important in life. My answer to this question would be the happiness found in family, good friends and the comforts of home. These things do not have to be questioned because they are meant to last indefinitely. When everything else fails, we can always count on this love and support to help us through tough times. But we cannot forget about the important people in our lives and go back to them only when it is convenient for us.
As college students, we are supposed to become independent and take the next step in life responsibly. Soon, we enter the real world, where we are at the helm of our decisions and actions. We will determine the course of our lives, but we cannot forget the people who helped us reach this point. As “adults” we may be growing up, but it is never too late to make a phone call or pay someone a visit.
Let Columbus Day weekend serve as a reminder of everything that remains important outside of school. College is a time of new beginnings, but we should also keep a place for our past. If someone is fortunate enough to have a close family, good friends and a comfortable home, he or she should cherish what they have. Not everyone is so lucky.
Becky Martins is a Collegian columnist.
