Two Different Lives

I attended to Stockton University my first year because I wanted to save money from dorms and meal plans. My parents even promised me my own car if I stayed home for college. I definitely did save money from living at home and still working at my job, but I wasn't happy with my life. It was difficult for me to make friends because I only commuted to school for my classes and clubs and I only knew friends that I graduated from high school with.

When I decided to transfer to Rutgers University, I knew living away from home would be a completely different experience. Living in dorms isn't always convenient or comfortable. It's harder to get personal space because you have a roommate, a whole floor of students and a limited amount of space. Back at home, I have my own room, walk-in closet and a full size bed, so it wasn't easy fitting everything into my dorm room. The plus side is that I have the corner room, so I have one of the biggest dorms on the floor. Just like everyone else, I learned to adapt to the dorm life.

My life at home is more clean and convenient since I don't have to share a public bathroom with 30 other girls or walk all the way to the dining hall to get food. I normally try to watch what I eat, so I try to cook my own food as much as I can. Being at home makes it possible to know what's exactly in my food. My favorite meal to cook is breakfast and being able to just go downstairs still in the comfort of my pajamas is one of the reasons why I love living at home. I love my parents to death, but I hate that I have to tell them where I'm going every time I leave the house. I also have to worry about coming home on time before my parents get mad. I try to be productive almost everyday and I often find myself lacking motivation when I'm at home. Even when I'm only home for the weekend, I have trouble focusing on my work and end up not finishing anything.

Surprisingly, I'm more focused in college even when there are numerous distractions. Living around young and motivated students makes me even more motivated to work hard. It was difficult adapting to the college life, but I worked on my time management skills and learned a lot about what to do and what not to do. In dorms, I would usually go to the study lounge and get my work done with other people that would help me if I was having trouble. I could go anywhere anytime without having my parents asking where I'm going. The freedom I have living at school makes it easier for me to be exactly who I am. When I'm at home, I don't have the freedom I do at school, so I can't be spontaneous without getting in trouble. I'm the type of person that never wants to spend my time at home doing nothing. Although there are good and bad things about living at home and at my dorm, I mostly prefer living at school because I can have fun and still do well in school.

Introduction

   Welcome to my blog! My name is Jessica He and I'm originally from Ohio. My parents moved to America from China when they were in their late 20's.They moved to America because they wanted me and brother to live a better life. It was not easy for them because they had to sacrifice so much to start a life here. My parents ran a successful restaurant business for over 10 years. Everyday, they went to work to provide for our family. My mom told me that she was still working the day before she gave birth to me. I'm very blessed to have such amazing parents that has done so much for me and my brother. In third grade, my parents sold the restaurant to my uncle and we moved to New Jersey to start a new life here. There are times when I imagine how different my life would be if I stayed in Ohio. I wouldn't have met all the friends I have now and I probably wouldn't be the same person I am today.    I spent my first year of college at Stockton University in South Jersey. It was only 15 minutes away from home, so I commuted there everyday. Life was like a routine and I knew there was so much more in life than what I was living. I would go to school, work, and go to the gym. Of course I did other things too, but a majority of life only focused on those three things. So, I decided to transfer to Rutgers and start a new life here. It has been one of the best decisions of my life transferring here. Personally, I love experiencing new things and living life to the fullest. I'm always looking to try new things and making memories that will last a lifetime. Rutgers has already given me so many new experiences and opportunities. Even though I haven't been at Rutgers for a full year yet, I've learned so much about myself already. The good and the bad. I can see myself slowly growing and changing into a person I want to be. I look forward to the next two years at Rutgers.