How to make anywhere your new home!

This is my very first Vlog and I am super excited to share this episode! I will be sharing my story on how I made my school my new home. To start off, I did not know much about Longwood University. When I applied, I was just praying I would get accepted into a school. This is not your typical buy furniture and cool things to customize your dorm. I say that because not every college student has that opportunity. In this particular episode, I share a little bit of my background and what I did while I was at Longwood.

I was born in Montgomery County, Maryland, and moved to Glen Allen, Virginia in 2013. I moved because I was constantly getting into trouble. I was blessed with the opportunity to live with my aunt and uncle and become a better person. After learning that there was more to life than getting in trouble and acting a fool, I eventually got better at school. I still struggled academically but my hard work was enough to help me make it through high school. Halfway through my senior year, I decided to think about college. Growing up it never crossed my mind, because no one in my immediate family went. I also felt I was not cut out for it; did not think I was smart enough. Eventually, I gave it a shot and started applying to different schools. I was finally accepted by a small school in Farmville, Virginia. Which made me the first generation in my family.

I had no idea where Farmville was located, and it was also a Predominantly White Institution. After move-in day I had to make this new place my home for the next four years. I did that by constantly leaving my room to explore the campus. My first advice for any first Gen student is to explore and meet people. If you are not a social butterfly than go speak to your professors. My second piece of advice, it is important to find something that you can do routinely. That is what helps me make Longwood home because I would get up, go to class, workout, and then do homework. Once I put myself into a routine, I got used to it and was not homesick anymore. The reason why a lot of us get homesick is that we aren’t doing things we are used to.

The reason for my Blog/Vlog is because I want to be an outlet for my fellow first Gen students. Going on to my fourth year at Longwood University and being one of the only Cambodian students there, college is not easy, and it can get really hard and lonely. I wanted to share my stories because I want first Gen college students to understand that it is okay to be lost or stuck sometimes. I am also hoping I can share the knowledge that they may not have gotten from school. Please check out my next Vlog/Blog next week’s topic will be about maintaining relationships.