How Going To College On The East Coast Has Changed Me

When deciding where to go to college, a lot of people tend to look within their state or even region. Going off to college is a lot of change so having a general familiarity of your surroundings can be comforting.

I, on the other hand, took the opposite approach. I moved three thousand miles away from home, all the way from San Francisco, California to attend Fordham University in New York. (Go big or go home, right?) Besides all the basic life lessons we all inherently learn through the college experience (such as time management, doing laundry, and that one cannot live strictly of ramen), I feel like switching coasts added a whole other dimension to my experience and has shaped who I am today.

Here are just a few ways that switching coasts has changed my life.

I became more independent.

Being so far away from home encouraged me to do things alone; whether it was moving into a new dorm room, traveling, navigating the city, and even cooking for myself. The Big Apple has so much to offer, and when I came here I had every intention of spending what time I had discovering the city. Most importantly, I became more self-sufficient and learned to not rely on my parents.

I’ve met some amazing people.

Without the comfort of being able to go home and hang out with my friends from high school, as most people do in college, I put myself out there. And, I have found some of the greatest people I have ever met in my life. Whether it was through joining clubs or learning to put myself out there, I have been able to form lifelong friendships and memories.

I have changed my style.

I used to be a girly, California girl. But I have to admit, now all I do is wear black now. I find myself asking the question, “Do these pieces of black clothing match?” all the time. Of course, it is a New York thing. In all seriousness, my style has matured and grown over these last three years. I have taken a lot more risks and not been afraid to express myself or rock new trends. I have also been inspired by my peers and the style that I see on the streets of New York.

I became much more self-motivated.

I have taken a lot on my plate and have tried out a variety of things. From applying to different internships, interviewing, joining clubs, and going to different club events, I have become a lot more self-motivated. I no longer need to rely on my parents to push me to be ambitious or try new things, because now I already am. I find myself taking on more responsibility and taking initiative now, which is a big change from high school.

I found my #GuruGang.

I have to, of course, include a little blurb about CollegeFashionista and its impact on my life. I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am for being able to be a part of such an amazing community of inspiring ladies. CF has opened up a whole new world for me, and I cannot thank them enough for their ongoing support and for providing me with numerous amazing opportunities. They have allowed me to expand my horizons and have truly changed my life in the most positive of ways, so THANK YOU CF!