I remember my freshman year. It was a time of immense change. I dreaded the very thought of going to Marion, Ala. I came home EVERY weekend. I'm sure Judson students got tired of hearing me cry because I was SOOOOOO homesick. Actually, a few classmates told me recently that they thought it was pretty ridiculous since I was home more than I was at school. I would wait until the last minute on Sunday night to return for classes the next morning. The battle would begin inside me every Sunday. I knew I had the ability to stay at home, but I also knew I would fail my classes if I did not attend the lectures. So, I drove that dreaded two and a half hour drive, crying, THE ENTIRE WAY.
My dad remembers my freshman year, too. He spent hours on the phone with me (many of them at 4 a.m. because he was the only one awake). Every week we went through the same routine. Christina sobbing, "Dad! I can't do this anymore. I hate it here! I just want to come home!" Dad: "Christina, I know it is hard, but just give it one more week. If you decide next week to come home, no one is stopping you. If you will just give it a chance, you might like it." This was repeated over and over and over. I know my parents got tired of my wailing.
Dad and I visited Judson today to clear up a financial situation with Australia (one month until I fly to LA!!!). We talked about my freshman year on the ride home. We laughed because it was silly! He told me that he was really surprised at the end of that year that I actually STAYED at Judson. It took a week to week effort to keep me there.
College was new, different, and out of the ordinary for me. I LOATHED change, which manifested into loathing anything to do with Judson.
Of course, now Marion, Ala. is one of my favorite places and I would not trade my Judson experience for anything.
A couple years, a few friends, and tons of memories changed my point of view.
I am glad I did not give up.
Because of a school in small-town Marion, Ala., my life has changed forever and I would not have it any other way.
"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." -Charles Dubois
Therefore, I leave you with a challenge: You never know what the future holds, dive in WITHOUT reservation!!!
Disclaimer: This does not include the waters in Australia... I am fully aware that diving in could be potentially fatal by any assortment of marine life.... but you know what I mean ;)
-ChristinaLee
P.S. The Alabama colors ARE intentional... ROLL TIDE!
