College by Felicia Quintana

Oh goodness, how do I describe my first semester at ISU? In some ways it is much easier than high school, but in other ways it is also so much more difficult. I do know one thing for sure: college is nothing like how I thought it would be.
I remember when I was in elementary school, and how those days were the best of my life. I can still recall playing the Name Game and having a party on the first day of school. I can even still see the caterpillar stretching across the room, counting down until the last day of school. I really thought that life could not get any easier than that. But then Jr High came around and everything changed.
On the first day of school in jr high, I remember being mortified because we didn't get no party, no name game and there wasn't even a caterpillar. Instead, homework and cranky teachers. Has anyone ever noticed that teachers get crankier the higher up you move in school? Jr high was so difficult for me, and I really thought that it couldn't get anymore difficult than that. Again I was wrong.
I went to 2 different high schools between the years 2006 and 2010, Declo and Kuna High. While these were two completely separate schools, they seemed to have the same mission: "We are getting your prepared for college." They piled on homework, and never ever took work late. They also always said the same things: "If your paper isn't formatted correctly, the professor will take one look and trash it," "You must attend class, or you will be kicked out," "You think this is tough, wait until you reach college. This is child's play." One teacher I had even added the phrase, "So no pressure" after saying those types of statements.  Well. There was a ton of pressure.
But high school wasn't always so bad. I met the love of my life there. I also decided that I wanted to be an English teacher in my junior year. Also, band and my creative writing course were my outlets when school stressed me out too much. Besides the pressure that teachers put on us, I enjoyed my high school years. What I wasn't looking forward too was the harshness of my college professors. I thought that professors in college were going to be dictators hell-bent on destroying your dreams. When I got accepted to Idaho State University, I was really excited but also very scared at the same time. 
However, just as I was wrong about my notions about jr high and high school I was very wrong about college. When I entered the doors to my first English class, the first thing the professor did was take out a little bean bag and said, "Everybody on your desks, we're going to play the name game." I found that in many of my other classes, professors were actually cool. They want to help you reach your goals and worked around your schedule. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't an easy first semester by any means. The teachers did indeed expect a lot more out of you, but it wasn't as horrifying as the teachers in high school made it sound. Not only that but the campus is beautiful, and there is always something to do. Whether it's just hanging out on the quad, or going bowling at midnight, there is always something to do on the campus. I don't think that I have had many bored days at Idaho State.

But there was one thing that I knew for sure: Even though college is great and having my independence is all good, I miss my family so much. I left my house at the beginning of August, and I have only come back home once. It has been so difficult not being able to see my family everyday and my friends. I knew I was gonna miss them, but I never knew the intensity of it. I know now that my family is my life, and my foundation. Without them I would be nothing. Because of this, I decided that I am going to go to BSU or CWI next year. If I have to go another year with only going home once a semester I think I will lose my mind. I love you, Familia! I look forward to seeing you all more.