Already homesick

by Alice Donoghue 

Coming in one evening from horseback riding, my mother and I were arguing about something I don’t even remember. Defending my point, whatever it may have been, was taking all of my concentration when my mother interjected to say, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Glendon called. You’ve been accepted.”

At first my reaction was what one would expect in response to being hit with a wet mop. That was it. All of the sudden, it was over. Waiting to hear from my first-choice university was a thing of the past.

My mother seemed to think this settled the matter of where I would go. Obviously if I had picked Glendon as my first choice, it was inevitable that I would select that school. She was somewhat shocked when I told her I didn’t want to notify Glendon that I was planning on attending just yet.

Glendon sounds great. It’s in a beautiful setting, has absolutely unheard of class sizes, is completely bilingual in French and English and is no more than a 40 minute car ride from home. But I want to hold out for acceptances from University of Toronto and Guelph.

It’s not even that I plan to go to either of them: it’s just the desire for options, and to know that I did well enough in my classes that I’d be accepted anywhere. My competitive nature is revealing itself. I’m not satisfied with the one acceptance I anticipated the most - I want them all.

That being said, I’m still looking towards university with a melancholy gaze. With only three months of my final semester of high school remaining, the transition is starting to feel more and more real.

My horse, who I’m used to visiting on a daily basis, will be ridden by another girl during the week while I’m gone. My parents are making plans for next year with only my brother in mind, knowing I won’t be home. My boss is looking for someone to take my place come autumn. Whoever gets my job will be one lucky grade 10.

University isn’t a completely depressing prospect, however. Living in Toronto is exciting to me, having grown up in Stouffville. I love our town and think it’s one of the best places anywhere, but moving to the city will help me find myself. I’ll be able to see my friends in Toronto more frequently, and of course there are always things to do and shows to see.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m over the moon that I’ve been accepted to Glendon. It’s a school I could certainly see myself attending and enjoying immensely. There are so many opportunities offered, such as international travel and constant exposure to the French language. Of course with any new experience, there are bound to be hesitations. That’s part of the adventure.

I’ll see how the acceptances from Guelph and Toronto go; whether I have a range of options or only one route. Until then, I’m going to enjoy life at home to the fullest, grateful that I have home cooked meals and don’t have to do my own laundry.

Since writing this column, I found out on March 12 that I have also been accepted to Guelph!

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