When I look back on the time in my life when I was applying to schools, I remember being overwhelmed and stressed beyond belief. Trying to decide on a place where I would build the foundation of my future was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made, but choosing Florida State has changed my life forever and I can't imagine calling any other school my home away from home. The love that students and alumni have for this school is unreal, and unless you go to school here, you will probably never understand it.

1. Academics.

A highly accredited school with a wide variety of studies, Florida State University places number 38 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings among all public national universities.

2. Campus.

Florida State's campus is breathtakingly beautiful. It's impossible not to appreciate it every single day on my walk from Stone to Diffenbaugh (Still trying to understand why I did that to myself).

3. The Football.

Our football team has a TV show following them around all season. If that doesn't speak for itself, I suggest looking at our record: Florida State has won three national championships, eighteen conference titles and six division titles. We've had three undefeated seasons and finished ranked in the top four of the AP Poll for 14 straight years. You can't make this stuff up. A Florida State game day is unlike any other.

4. The Flying High Circus.

Our school literally has its own circus.

5. Doak S. Campbell Stadium.

Commonly referred to as Hogwarts, our brick stadium is absolutely stunning.

6. The Weather.

If you're from Florida and haven't experienced seasons before, Florida State allows you to see the leaves changed and experience winter weather without leaving your home state. If you're from out of state, you can escape your brutal winters for a more pleasant one.

7. Westcott Fountain.

A tradition and right of passage, you must jump into Westcott fountain on your 21st birthday. If you were born in December like me, sorry.

8. Garnet and Gold.

These colors just go so great together.

9. Pokey Sticks.

Enough said.

10. It's socially acceptable to go out on a Tuesday.

...and Monday, and Wednesday, and any other night of the week. Yes, it's great to go to the best party school in the state, but with 67 percent of students proudly possessing a GPA of over 3.75, and 24 percent with a 3.5 or higher, you could say we're pretty good at balancing scholarship with social life.

11. The War Chant.

There's nothing like it. The feeling that you get when the entire football stadium is cheering and doing the chop is indescribable.

12. Renegade and Chief Osceola.

Does your school's mascot ride into the stadium on a horse and plant a burning spear into the ground? I didn't think so.

13. Landis Green.

Puppies. Puppies everywhere.

14. Mrs. Killings.

The grandma of every single Florida State student, the woman who says "Hey Baby!" and suddenly makes all of your problems fade away. The only person who can make Suwannee bearable.

15. President Thrasher.

We all love President Thrasher so much. He attends so many events across campus and truly cares for this university.

If you didn't know, now you know. Florida State has it all. We are all one big family and I am forever grateful to attend the greatest school in the state. Roll Tribe.