This weekend I came home from school to spend some time with my family and best friend; these past few days flew by and now I must return back to school for the week. I know being away from home devastates my family, mainly my mother, I feel like it’s what’s best for me. Throughout high school, home got a little hectic at times and it was sometimes hard for me to focus on the tasks at hand. However, now that I am living independently on my own, I have discovered a new found appreciation for all the favors my family has done for me. I mean who else will wait by your side when you’re sick until you fall asleep, or even care about how your day went? No, this is true, no one can love you like your family. My new school has forced me to open up to the people that I live with and so I guess I am simultaneously receiving a collegiate education while establishing a new kind of family. Although there are some sketchy people at school, I will continue to sift through the flakes and weenies, hoping to find that select group of people who I can consider family; so far, I’ve found refuge in my PEAPs, but even in this group I find myself constantly sifting and searching. Until then, I will keep my guard up and watch my back. Welcome to college?