By Monica Sanchez, our winner of the Young Author's Scholarship. She recently started her first year at St. Mary's College.

I am weak.

I moved into my dorm on a Thursday. By Friday night, I was heavy with grief. I missed high school. Longed for it.

By the following Friday I could not take it any longer. After a week of marveling at the convenience of living on campus, I decided it is potentially unhealthy. The notion of not leaving a gated community for days/weeks/months at a time? I needed a break. But so soon? I was developing cabin fever, I told myself.

I am envious at how most of my classmates do not venture home at the week’s end either because of distances, detachment, or both.

I admit it: I was homesick and continue to be.