THE statement I kept hearing about college before entering the University of Hawaii was, "It'll be a good chance to make new friends and meet new people." College: It’s a
brave new worldMy friends and I wondered, "What's wrong with the ones we've got now?" Then we worried about losing track of one another because not all of my close friends are with me at UH. Some are attending Windward Community College. One is at Hawaii Pacific University, and some have left for the mainland. Those who do attend UH take part in activities like band that take up a lot of their time.
We promised to keep in touch but I miss the cruising together in high school. Now it's hard to "talk story" because it seems everyone has started a new life, with new friends and activities.
It's not that I don't want to meet people. I'm all up for that, and I've made some good friends already. But it's not easy to be close right away. My high school friends and I shared a long history and it's hard to start over.
Oddly enough, the coursework was the least of my worries. I had more logistical things to worry about, like missing classes due to getting lost on campus. I didn't know how I would get from class to class on time, because everything is on a much bigger scale than my old high school, Castle. It took two pages of photocopies just to have a complete map of the UH campus.
As I pored over the schedules at registration, I knew that I had 10 minutes to get from the architecture building to Moore Hall. I tried to figure out if I could make it. If not, the schedule would have to change. These days I cover the distance speed walking and I get to class just as it starts. Maybe it's just because of my short legs.
THE hub of my universe is Campus Center, and not because of any activities. It may sound silly, but Campus Center is the equivalent of the "You are here" dot on shopping center maps. I know how to get to all of my classes from Campus Center, so if I ever get lost, I just look to the big gray building for guidance.
Paying for school is also tough. Tuition wasn't so bad since I received a few scholarships, but I did have to pay the difference. My books cost more than $200 secondhand. And in high school I took for granted the cost of a public school lunch. In college I can't get a meal for 75 cents. Now, I have to pay real-world prices to satisfy my cravings for tacos, pizzas and frozen yogurt. Most times, I'd rather starve.
My reaction to my first week of college wasn't that great. My mom and friends encouraged me to keep a positive attitude. I guess they thought I was going to drop out or something. I would never give up that easily. I'm enjoying each week more and in four years I'll probably hate to leave.
Liane Kaneko is a 1998 Castle High School graduate. Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
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