Coping with Sleep-Away Camp

I have never been away from home, at least not for more than three days, much less two whole weeks. When I got the chance to go to Journalism Camp, I was scared. Of the 19 other students there, I knew no one. What if I had to go home during the duration of camp because I wouldn't be able to adjust? What if my roommate and I don't get along? How do you even use a washing machine?

Well, after the first night, nearly all of my questions were thrown off the charts. The students were amazing, and my roommate was perfect. She knew how to do crazy braids with my long hair and she loved to listen to me rant! I couldn't have asked for more.

The two weeks nearly whizzed by, and I learned to take sole responsibility for myself: laundry, cleaning, allocating my weekly stipend to spread for all meals, that sort of thing. However in the process I didn't realize how tied I had become with the routine of waking up early to the nudges of my roommate, running to get to the newsroom in time, coming back to a lounge full of friends who shared similar passions as I did.

On the last day, I couldn't get myself to turn in my room keys. It couldn't be over. I become emotionally tied really easily, and as I realized it's just as hard for me to pull away. I couldn't push away my tears, leaving camp just left me empty. I wasn't having the "blues," I felt genuinely poignant about leaving. Returning home, I was in the state of disillusionment for a few days. I kept to myself, sleeping through most of the day so I wouldn't have time to reminisce about camp.

This was my challenge. I needed to get accustomed to life at home again. I was lucky to have the two week experience, but I had to learn to accept that not all things last forever. I could still keep in touch with my new friends while continuing on with the rest of my summer. I know I will go through the same experience leaving high school after senior year. The environment and high school routine will never return after graduation, but I can keep in touch with my friends and look forward to other experiences I will have.