Dear ladies and gentlemen,
it’s essential to recognize when it’s time for a change! The topic I’ve chosen for today wasn’t just an epiphany about realizing I don’t belong in one place because I’m meant to be somewhere else; it was also a wake-up call to stop daydreaming. Junior year (2017–2018) was the most pivotal year for me as a business student. But first, let’s go back to where it all started, shall we?
HCC Honors College
In May 2017, I completed my two-year degree at Houston Community College through their Honors Program. I won’t dive into the details of college life, like how to apply or what a typical day looks like, because that deserves its own blog post. However, I will say I’m proud of myself, and I know my mom is too. I graduated at 18. YAY! Two years done, two more to go. It seemed simple—until I found myself feeling completely lost.
The transition to a new school was hard, especially because the one I attended for my junior year wasn’t my first choice. I wanted to go to Baylor University. I had a plan, and I was set on executing it. My roommates were chosen. Everyone had their own room and bathroom. We’d picked the colors for the common area, and we even had a group chat. You know it’s serious when there’s a group chat, right?
So, what happened? Reality kicked in.
Let’s fast forward to July 2017, when I visited Grinnell College. It was a day trip, but it felt like the town was intentionally designed for excitement to exist anywhere but there. No cap!
Am I supposed to dance to Reggaeton at a movie theater? Or do my bulk shopping at Walmart? Where are the art exhibits and health museums?
My opinion of the town was clear, but I still made a pros and cons list. I considered my education, social needs, the distance from my mom, and how much of my comfort zone I was ready to sacrifice. Despite some brownie points Grinnell earned, I still chose Baylor in my heart. But my bags—and the $10 in my wallet—were unpacked at Grinnell.
For those unaware, higher education is expensive. I don’t believe you should choose a college solely based on scholarship offers, but how much money schools are willing to give you should definitely help narrow your list—and Grinnell beat Baylor. When I was offered a substantial scholarship that covered most of my tuition and board, my mom urged me to lean towards Grinnell. After some deep thinking, I ultimately agreed.
I told myself: “I want to go to Baylor, but it’s already July, school starts next month, I don’t want to stress more than I already am, so… Grinnell it is!”
Even though I’m an only child, and the cost of undergrad would only happen once, it’s still a financial burden that only grows over time. Some say it’s a scam. Scam or not, I was just grateful they gave me a single room. 🙌🏾🙌🏾
So, let’s get the facts straight:
An Honors graduate from Houston gets accepted to a small, prestigious liberal arts college in the Midwest—where the majority of her educational expenses are covered, but it’s in the middle of nowhere.
I was determined to make the best of it. Mindset is everything. Remember that, only child. I had no idea what to expect, but then again, does anyone ever really know how life will turn out?
I had freedom, but at what cost?
Grinnell College
In my next blog post, I’ll dive into why Grinnell wasn’t the right fit for me. Do I think I needed to go there to figure that out? Absolutely. My day trip didn’t show me what I learned during my junior year. Some experiences were disheartening, but they were also necessary for growth. My pros list couldn’t have predicted those moments.
So, yes. An only child can go away—even as far as Iowa—but keep in mind that the vibe of the place, how you interpret your surroundings, and how you adapt are crucial when making the big move.
0 Comments