On Leaving for College & Finding Home
By Logan Reed
Published October 20, 2019
I had no idea what to expect. This was either going to be the best or worst decision of my life. Only one way to find out.
When I first moved to Rochester for college, I did not know how much I would grow to love the city. I had never been here before and hadn't heard much about it. When I first stepped onto Nazareth College’s campus I did not know if it was the right fit for me, but after a second visit and a little more exploration of the area including the picture perfect views of the Erie Canal and the delicious melt in your mouth custard at Pittsford Dairy, I realized that Rochester could be my future home.
I came from a small town of roughly 1,000 people so the thought of moving to a city was something that I felt super anxious about. I would no longer have the reliance of my family or sleep in the same bed I have had for years. I would be living with a stranger. I would meet new people. I would have to step out of my comfort zone. No matter how much I built it up in my head, I still felt the excitement of being in a new place.
Being at Nazareth, I quickly met new people and felt part of the community. I came in as an Undeclared major and unsure of what I wanted to do. Growing up I was always told that I needed to go into a field where I would make money and get a stable job. I was pushed to consider careers that I knew I didn't want to pursue. I felt immense pressure to make my family happy. That is why I chose to declare a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders, or in other words, Speech Therapy. My parents had both emphasized this career and how I would make a good living as well as being guaranteed a job after graduating. When I told them I was considering declaring my major in Speech Therapy, of course they were ecstatic. I began my new declared major with as much enthusiasm as I one could have. I soon realized that the classes I was taking didn’t interest me. I tried to push myself to love Speech Therapy, but I couldn't. After two years in the major and trying to find some interest, I decided to change my major. I decided to go after what I was passionate about, Art History. My family was shocked about my new and abrupt decision, but also supported my choice.
I knew I would enjoy this new change because my whole life I have enjoyed art. In high school I took as many art classes as I could, even taking a course in art history. It ended up being one of my favorite classes. When I moved to Rochester I fell in love with the arts community. There was so much to see. It was like a whole new world to me. A world with vivid and striking colors around every corner. I found that it was easy to get involved and to appreciate the arts within the city.
Shortly after I started an internship at Rochester Contemporary Art Center. I was quickly immersed in the behind the scenes aspects of the arts. I am able to be a part of the community in a way so fitting to my interests. I have seen so many parts of community and support within this organization. I have seen a sense of community in the artists who exhibit their artwork. I have seen a sense of community in the local businesses helping to support one another. I have also seen a sense of community in the people who I know by name, the ones who are always in to visit and who share my same interests.
The friendships I formed, the people I met, the accomplishments I made, it all wouldn't have worked out the way it did if it weren't for me living in this beautiful city of Rochester. I didn't expect to fall in love with it as much as I did, but now there is a special place in my heart for this quirky city. I found comfort in a place I never thought I would. I grew as a person and learned so much about myself in the process. I am so thankful to call this place home.
Logan Reed is a senior at Nazareth College. She is currently studying Art History and interning at Rochester Contemporary Art Center.
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