Sierra Spraker | November 10, 2021

We’ve heard what college brings, for the most part. We know going into it we will be challenged; removed from family, making new friends, learning about our new physical space. What we aren’t prepared for is the beautiful ability to create a new community for ourselves, develop our sense of belonging, and learning the new meaning of purpose. 

I felt on the first day I knew my purpose. I knew my goals; and although I didn’t exactly know how I was going to attain all of them I had a general idea. Those were all scattered to the wind when I got my first chemistry midterm back. I changed my major twice. My purpose must have been lost and found at least a dozen times. I have a notes page in my phone, naïvely titled “My Life Plan”. Later it would be “My Life Plan: updated [enter always changing date here]”. 

I’m not embarrassed to admit the amount of times I cried ugly tears in public. Walking aimlessly around campus while questioning everything I was doing. I believed I was seeing everyone else excelling at whatever it was they were accomplishing. I couldn’t have been more wrong, but in my own assumptions I created this twisted and dark island on which I was the sole resident. College will do that. Independence can break you down… and no one wants to tell you when you’re seventeen and applying to your dream school. 

I adapted, as I always did, to a new place with new people. My friends became my family and I developed my definition of independence. I learned about my resilience and the intrinsic desire I had to keep going. That same stubborn nature led me down a grueling path of horrible grades and self-isolation, but it also kept me going. 

I couldn’t imagine having the experiences I did anywhere else, I grew up here. I’m still learning about myself even after having left. The place that San Luis Obispo was for me was a place of deep internal growth.

There is so much which could be said about this small, lovely town tucked right in the hills of the Central Coast of California. San Luis Obispo will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am certain I’ll be a frequent flyer throughout the years to come. For now, it’s onto the next. 

To the people who helped shape me, thank you.

Until next time, 

Sierra