by Amby Sarabia
Managing Editor
It was only four years ago that I was a timid freshman, afraid to voice my opinions and questioning my every move, worried I wouldn’t be liked by my fellow classmates.
It seems like only yesterday when I was stressing over what my future career would be. Was I destined to be an English major or a liberal arts major? I dreaded the thought of having to deal with my new surroundings and the important decisions adults are in charge of making not something someone straight out of high school had to face.
Overwhelmed by all the new decisions and my new surroundings I would drive home each weekend eager to escape from all the unfamilarity around me. I sought the familiarity of old friends and my family.
I hated when my weekends at home ended. Every Sunday I would reluctantly drive back to my dorm knowing I was about to spend another week agonizing over projects and over my future.
I was unable to foresee how attached I was going to get to people at La Verne. Rather than driving home two times each week to escape my roommates or the unfamiliar faces around campus, I now find myself wanting the company of these people I now classify as friends. While I still drive home for the weekends, (Who would pass up home cooking?) I find myself calling my dorm home and no longer dread the thought of living away from Montebello.
My friends from back home whom I used to rely on and planned outings with each weekend have somehow become acquaintances, while my friends at La Verne have evolved into those who I find myself running to for advice, comfort or for pointless conversations.
Making late night trips to Circle K for junk food has become a routine, just as visits to T-Phillips to talk over appetizers and drinks. The donut shop has become my favorite spot for breakfast as I run in to grab a bagel between classes. Together we have gone through our ups and downs, stressed out over finals, cried and laughed. The friends I have made here at La Verne have made my experience that much better.
Aside from gaining friendships and becoming comfortable living the so-called college life, in the last three years I have also learned how to handle those complicated decisions which used to terrify me.
After dabbling in a variety of classes, I have discovered my passion for journalism. I have finally found my place on the campus as I have written for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
Through writing for these publications, I have found my voice and have been given the opportunity to let it be heard. I was able to become an editor, a position I always aspired to hold but never thought I would.
Sure it took me awhile to break out of my shell, but I did it. I no longer question my every move, worried that a wrong move will cause others to judge or belittle me. No longer will my voice go unheard on campus, in fact many of those who knew me when I was a freshman joke at how much I have changed throughout my years here at ULV.
Looking back, I realize exactly how much I have grown as a person here at ULV, and I am positive that despite the rough times I had at the beginning of my schooling here I would not change anything.
Amby Sarabia, a senior journalism major, is managing editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at smartiegal@yahoo.com.