The two things that kept me from taking the next plane home are the friendships I have made, and my goal of being a journalist. These two powerful forces gave me the strength to conquer college life. The support of my parents helped me a great deal in the first week. My mother spent a lot of time on the phone with me and my father always gave me the option of returning home if the homesickness did not pass. I'm glad I stuck it out because I am now happy here.
College life takes a lot of getting used to.
I, along with other students here, have good and bad days. The good days usually outnumber the bad days. Going out and making new friends is the ultimate in ridding oneself of the homesickness blues. The advantage of being from Hawaii is that we are raised with a multicultural heritage that teaches us respect for and getting along with others. Respect for one another is important in a dorm situation.