Personal Narrative: Find Where You Belong And Everything Will Work Out

Find where you belong and everything will work out. This phrase replayed through my head over and over as I sat on my lofted bed in my unfamiliar door room, at the University of Colorado-Boulder. I had chosen to go to school far from my hometown knowing it would be a challenge, but the challenge to come was one I never anticipated.

Everything was new: new friends, town, and school. That was when the uncomfortable feeling began to set in, and I began to retreat to a self I did not know. While I thought the feeling were just temporary, due to the unfamiliar surroundings, the feeling lasted a whole lot longer than I imagined. I was accustomed to being surrounded by everyone who not only knew me, but also knew me as being a bubbly, aspiring people person. I guess I never realized how much changing one thing in my life could have such a
drastic impact on who I was becoming and what I was trying to accomplish school. My grades began to drop, and reality began to set in. I knew I was neither where I belonged nor who I wanted to become. The experience I gained from attending University of Colorado-Boulder was a remarkable one. After transferring, I learned how to adapt in the progressive world, which forced me to make the best of every situation I face. Along side this situation came my newly discovered self; I not only became independent, but also learned to make the best of the situation by being optimistic when doubt cast upon me. Both of these revelations, as a result of my decision, helped me open my eyes and see the positive impact that adaptation can have.

In the interim, I was faced with the next challenge of acclimatization, transferring to the University of St.
Thomas. But this time the change was different because of my strong-minded attitude to use my newly discovered independence and optimism towards new situations. Not only did I feel as though I belonged, my grades were slightly improving, and I found myself surrounded by activities I enjoyed, such as the mock trial team and pre-law club. But as time passed, there in the back of my head was the slightest feeling of discomfort again. I felt like I had been putting in all my effort to stay, but it still did not feel right. Yet again change stared me down, but instead of fearing the uncertainty of transferring again, change made a positive impacted upon my life. As a result of transferring again, I overcame my fears of the unknown, change. I acquired skills that helped me be able to make decisive decisions in short amounts of time, and no longer struggled to decide what is best for myself. Additionally, I gained insight into effective communication with every new faculty, student, and organization I encountered along my
journey.

While everything did work out, and I found where I belong at the University of Illinois, it was not an easy path to follow. Through transferring, each experience has given me the opportunity to improve myself. By facing continual change and readjustment throughout my college career, it has not only pushed me to succeed, but also to adapt quickly in my every-changing world. Also, it has allowed me to become proud and confident of decisions I have made and the person have become.