Therefore, my friendships became deeper and more meaningful after college than before college. I also met people from around the world in college, which expanded my mind and my awareness of other cultures. In high school I mostly had friends from similar backgrounds as me, whereas after college I mostly have friends from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Finally, I am a different person psychologically since entering college: whereas I was dependent, egocentric, and lacked a clear sense of identity before university, now I have a strong sense of self and a clear vision of my future. My pre-college self was more self-absorbed than I am now that I am in university. Whereas I thought mostly of myself before, now I think a lot about worldly issues and matters of global importance like pollution and war. I am also more interested in other people on a personal level than I was in high school, where I could afford to be insular. I can't afford to be insular in college because being insular would mean never making new friends. I am also far more confident and goal-oriented in college than I was in high school. In high school I went through the motions in class, not really understanding the relevance of an academic subject to the "real world." Now that I feel I am entering the real world, I take note of what I am learning and apply what I learn in class to how I live my life. I have a stronger sense of self now than I had when I was in high school and my identity...

As a result I am more outgoing and amicable. However, because college life entails having many responsibilities I did not have while in high school I am also more worried and anxious than I was in high school. Being worries and anxious are part of the maturation experience and one of the hallmarks of transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
Entering college transformed my personality, character and way of life on financial, social, and psychological levels. Whereas in high school my parents paid for everything from food and clothes to school supplies, now I pay for all of those items myself. Having to work and pay for my living expenses is one of the major differences between my post-college and pre-college life. My social life has also changed since entering college. My pre-college self had a small group of friends from similar backgrounds, whereas my post-college self has met people from various walks of life and I continue to meet new people and expand my boundaries. Finally, I am a new person psychologically since entering college: whereas before I was self-absorbed and insular, now I am worldlier and more thoughtful about others. I am also more confident and sure of my goals, while at the same time feeling acutely the anxiety and worry that comes from having adult responsibilities. All-in-all I appreciate the changes that have taken place in my life since entering college and I enjoy changing and growing with the new experience.