Responsibility & Reconciling My Chapters

Responsibility is something every on campus student is left with the second their parents leave them and go home for the first time.

Starting out my journey as a freshman, I found myself slightly angry that my parents did not let me stay on campus rather than have to travel back and forth. I would have had more friends because I knew no one starting at the university. I would have been able to go home to New York City here and there, so I would not be completely disconnected, and because it just sounded like fun. Who would not want to live on UAlbany’s amazing campus? I started to question if my parents did not let me off because they felt that I was not responsible enough or if it was because they were not ready to let me go.

I thought about growing up and how my parents always wrote my chapters; I was never allowed to do things on my own. I was never allowed to go out with friends (if I did I was that friend that had to be on the phone with their parents every five minutes- sorry), have friends over, go shopping alone (or anywhere outside of school), or even have a passcode on my phone and it was easy for me to figure out why they restricted me: They did not want to let me go.

During the second to last chemistry lab last semester I remember sitting with my lab friends and listening to them talk about “dorm struggles”- the roommate feuds, doing laundry for the first time, showering with slippers on (orange is the new black anyone?), being hungry, and not being able to sleep well because someone, somewhere is partying on a school night. Suddenly I didn’t have a solid answer –  was I really ready for this? No.

Then suddenly it hit me. Mum and baba changed their jobs for me, found a place in less than a few months’ notice for me. They made a huge life changing decision for me and they made everything work. I was grateful. Very grateful to have parents that put so much thought and consideration into me. Surely, it wasn’t easy at all for them but they did it all and made it look effortless- for me.

But how did I begin writing my own chapter? Through the first semester it just happened. Helping around the house, learning to drive, working, and keeping everything open to my parents- where I’m going, what I’m doing, what my grades and plans are, has led my parents to realize that I am ready enough to be given responsibility. 

But the truth is, deep down I was not ready to let go either. I would have missed a lot: My sisters 8^th birthday party, shopping with my mum, learning to drive with my dad and so much more to come. These are the important parts of life that I’ll remember forever that I would have missed if I had taken the other path.

About the Author

Simonti B.
Class of 2019
Major: Intended - Biology
Blog Theme: Writing My Own Chapter 

Please Note: The views of our student bloggers do not necessarily reflect the views of the UAlbany Advisement Services Center. These are their stories and their voices.