The College Internship Program has helped many a student make the transition from dependent living to living a life of their own, and I am proud to be a current student. When I first made the transition to come to CIP, I have to admit I was a little nervous. I am fortunate enough to have lived by myself on several occasions, but the thought of independent living still made me a bit apprehensive. Not all these experiences were positive.
As my move-in date approached, the feeling of apprehension grew. In life, I often wondered what it would be like to truly move out. I had lived by myself a few times, but those times were different. My home was still with my parents, and it was always my parent’s house that I returned to. The concept of having my own apartment, roommate, and more importantly, the knowledge that I would never return to the home I had known all my life frankly terrified me.
I arrived at CIP shortly after graduating from high school, and I cannot speak very highly of my own educational experiences. Organization was never my strength, and I struggled with routines. Managing my own responsibilities and even taking on new ones was also an occasional issue. All of these factors helped to fuel my apprehension, and while I sometimes found success during HS, it usually was difficult and inconsistent.
However, since coming to CIP, much of my fears and apprehensions have vanished. I have made friends who will be me for much of my life, if not forever. The staff members and instructors genuinely care about my success, and I feel that I have all the resources I need to do well. In the fall, I will enroll in the local community college and later, I hope to transfer to a four-year university (I would like to major in history).
CIP has instilled a sense of optimism in me and my future. I am comfortable advocating for myself, hope to run for student council this summer (responsibility was something I used to ‘run from’, as opposed to ‘run for’), and I am able to manage my time, money, and routines effectively. There will no doubt be hardships ahead, but now I have better tools to handle them.
Overall, I am very pleased with my decision to come to CIP, and I can say confidently that it was the right choice for me. I am grateful for the support it has provided me, and the lessons I have learned here going into the future.