Author: Sunshine

When becoming a college student, I started a new chapter of life. Without my parents’ help or reminders, I have made many decisions by myself. Without teachers’ urging, I should finish my study with self-discipline. Being my own boss includes all aspects of life and learning. For example, what and how much I should buy for daily necessities, which course I should choose, and how I can adapt to my new living environment abroad. I also can make decisions about my hobbies and do what I want. For instance, I can buy some cute dolls for myself and I can just sleep on my bed without going out. I can decide and control everything.
Being my own boss has helped me grow. Now I take on more responsibilities and this makes me more independent and capable. I can go around the town to go shopping by bus by myself in an unknown town. I can also cook some nice Chinese food on weekends with my friends. However, I didn’t have a irregular routine a few weeks later as I became more free and I was not disciplined. I often stayed up late because my mother didn’t ask me to sleep as before. I sometimes didn’t have breakfast as I got up so late. It was not healthy to have such a lifestyle. As expected, I got sick later. By adjusting my routine, I got much better and have a healthy lifestyle now. This was a meaningful experience for me because I wouldn’t make a change until I experienced a life lesson. Anyway, it is good to be my own boss but I still have things to learn about being my own boss.

   I live an interesting life because our room is really like a cave. Mostly because our room is always dark or has slight light. My roommate and I prefer not a bright room but a shadowy room. We also usually keep the curtains drawn although we often keep the tiny plants get sunlight. Besides this, we tried to make the room look like a cave. For example, my roommate put a strip of decorative leaves on the wall. We will also make a sign on the door this week to warn others that the room is a cave. It surprised my friends a lot that our room made them feel our room really like a separate room much different from the outside. We are happy to live in the room as it makes a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Besides how the cave looks, my cave life also influences me a lot. Our cave makes me feel safe, free, and comfortable. I can do whatever I want including watching my favorite anime and taking a nap. Personally, what influences me mostly is that my cave life helps me chill out and unwind. However, my cave life creates a lack of motivation to study. As a college student, I should make a balance between my life and my study. But I have difficulty finishing my homework or reading some academic materials when I stay in the cave. I can’t stop playing or sleeping. This phenomenon may be due to the too comfortable room that I even forget I also have a duty to my study. I am trying my best to make a better balance. Now I tend to study in the library mostly to improve my efficiency. Anyway, I like my cave life from the bottom of my heart.

  Before attending UWGB, I was very afraid and worried. I worried about my social life and wondered if people would be kind and friendly. I worried about my classes, professors, and my study skills. Because I thought I wouldn’t understand what professors and classmates were talking about in class. I thought I would have too much pressure on my studies. I was also worried that I would not catch up or get enough scores. I was afraid of the unknown as I always depended on my parents before. However, it is my time to take responsibility for my future life and I should be more mature and calm. Worries were so many but time never stops. Before leaving my home for America, I prepared a lot to help me adapt to the environment as soon as possible. Although I was still worried, I had the courage to face the difficulty.

  To my big surprise, I had a lot of pleasant experiences later. I met my new roommate on the first day of the Welcome Week. She is a beautiful and cute American girl. I was afraid that she didn’t like me at first. But later I found she is helpful and friendly. She helps me a lot in my daily life and my English speaking skills. We talked about each other’s different lives and solved daily problems together. I was so fortunate to have a roommate like her. Besides my dorm life, I also feel surprised that I met so many nice friends. Including international students and local students, we often play together and enjoy many interesting activities. It also surprised me that my teachers and professors are so helpful and thoughtful. They are happy when I ask them for help. I am deeply touched by their kindness and strong spirit for education.