You Can Be Excited for a New Chapter and Still Miss Home: What Kai Trump’s College Transition Can Teach Us 

Starting college is supposed to be exciting. You move into a new place, meet new people, make your own schedule, join clubs or teams, and begin building a life that finally feels like your own. 

Everyone tells you that college will be “the best years of your life.” 

But what happens when you’re excited about college and still want to go home? 

Kai Trump recently opened up about that exact feeling, as she adjusted to life at the University of Miami. Despite having a lot to look forward to, including playing golf, meeting new people, and beginning her college experience, Kai admitted that leaving home was much harder emotionally than she expected. 

With glossy eyes and an unusually jerky voice, Kai admitted she had “been sobbing” leading up to saying goodbye to her family and friends. She even acknowledged that she was “struggling right now,” even though she was excited about the new chapter ahead. 

And honestly, a lot of students probably relate to that feeling. 

College is often the first time many students experience a new level of independence. You are responsible for getting yourself to class, managing your schedule, meeting new people, and taking care of yourself without your parents there every day. Independence can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. And missing home doesn’t mean you aren’t independent. 

Sometimes, people think being independent means you no longer need your parents or family. Once you leave for college, you are expected to figure everything out on your own. But that’s not what independence really means. 

Being independent means learning how to make your own decisions and take responsibility for your life. It doesn’t mean you have to stop asking for advice, calling your parents, or wanting the comfort of home. You can take care of yourself and still miss having your family nearby. You can make your own decisions and still call home after having a difficult day. Those things aren’t contradictions. They are part of growing up. 

Kai’s experience reminds us that becoming independent doesn’t happen simply because you move into a dorm or apartment. Independence develops over time as you learn how to handle new situations, overcome challenges, and become comfortable with who you are. 

Social media can also make the college experience look effortless. We see students going to football games, meeting new friends, decorating their dorms, and seemingly having the time of their lives. What we don’t always see is the student sitting alone in their room, missing home, or wondering whether everyone else has already found their friend group. 

College can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. 

Kai’s openness about struggling with her transition is a reminder that even exciting opportunities can come with difficult emotions. You don’t have to pretend that everything is perfect simply because you’re happy to be there. 

You don’t have to handle everything alone. One of the most important things you can learn in college is that confidence comes from growing alongside other people. 

Sometimes, being independent means recognizing when you need help. Nobody becomes completely self-sufficient overnight…if ever. 

College is a process of learning how to make your own decisions, handle challenges, and discover who you are. 

Growing into independence doesn’t mean leaving home behind; it means carrying the love and lessons from home with you as you step confidently into what comes next. 

This blog was written by New Communications intern Christina Athanasopoulos.