A pivotal moment in my life when I relied on my faith occurred during my first semester of college. Growing up as an only child, I had a close relationship with my parents and a comfortable social life. I had a strong group of friends, including a best friend and a boyfriend, and life felt predictable and fulfilling. However, everything changed when I decided to leave my small, familiar world behind and attend college four hours away from home. This transition, from a comfortable environment to a completely new and unfamiliar place, proved to be one of the greatest challenges I had ever faced. I’ve always been shy, preferring not to approach others first, but I could easily talk once someone started the conversation. Despite this, I built a solid group of friends in high school, which made the idea of leaving them behind even more daunting. Moving to a predominantly black college after attending a predominantly white high school added another layer of uncertainty. I found myself surrounded by an unfamiliar environment, new faces, and people whose experiences were vastly different from mine. Along with this, I was leaving behind my family, friends, and boyfriend, making the transition even harder. Yet, deep down, I knew this was a change I had to make, even though it felt impossible at times. The loneliness hit almost immediately. As I unpacked my belongings and settled into my dorm, the weight of isolation crept in. When my parents left, I felt overwhelming sorrow and homesickness. I found myself crying uncontrollably, feeling abandoned in a strange place. The loneliness seemed insurmountable and lasted for weeks. I spent much of my time calling home, crying to my parents, and trying to keep up with my academic work. College was much different than high school, and I had to stay on track with assignments despite the emotional turmoil. Just as I was adjusting, a medical emergency set me back even further. I fell behind in my classes, and the sense of hopelessness grew stronger. During this struggle, I turned to my faith. I realized I was not alone; God was with me through every tear, doubt, and fear. I found comfort in prayer, allowing my faith to guide me through this difficult time. I knew that if I trusted God’s plan, He would provide the strength I needed to overcome these obstacles. By the end of the semester, I had made progress. Although I still dealt with loneliness, I had made a few friends and started adjusting to college life. I completed the semester with a 3.2 GPA, a victory given the challenges I faced. Today, I still struggle with loneliness and financial difficulties, but I remain steadfast in my faith, trusting that God will continue to guide me and provide strength and courage. This experience taught me that even in the most trying times, faith can be the anchor that keeps us grounded. While I have fewer friends than before, my faith has deepened and continues to carry me through the highs and lows of my college journey. The challenges I faced during my first year were significant, but they were also transformative, teaching me resilience, trust, and the power of God’s presence in my life.