Familiarity is comforting. There is relief in knowing what is going to happen next. I have always been one to stick to my routine and stay in my comfort zone. I played the same sport since I was eight years old and I had pretty much the same friend group throughout middle and high school. Regardless of whether you initiate the change in your life or not, and whether you are ready for it or not, change of some sort is still bound to happen and there is nothing you can do about it.

I was told at the start of senior year of high school that this year would be an emotional roller coaster. There would be moments of joy and excitement but also times of hardship, like saying goodbye to friends going separate ways. On the last day of my English literature class, we had a discussion: our last words to our classmates, about how we felt leaving. Most couldn't even fathom that they would never step foot in this place again, and some of my friends were an emotional wreck.

But for me, I couldn't relate. Even on my graduation day, as I watched my classmates, acquaintances I only talked to about homework, close friends, and others I had never seen before walk across the stage and as I listened to speeches about fear of the future and the bright memories of high school, I felt nothing but ready. Ready to leave for college. Ready to move out, live on my own, and become an independent adult. I wanted it all to happen so fast. I couldn't understand why some people were so emotional and I thought that it's not like we are dying or anything.

It wasn't until recently, as I was driving home when reality hit me in the face. I drove past the Publix I went to way too much, the mall at which my friends and I would watch a movie every week, the softball fields where I picked up my first bat and glove, my high school, full of highs and lows but most importantly memories I can never forget.

At that moment, just being reminded of these simple places that marked my childhood and life as I knew it, I could then empathize with the sentiment my classmates were feeling. With a couple of weeks left until I moved away, it did feel surreal. I guess it hits everyone at completely different times. I lived in the town of Oviedo my entire life, and thinking of leaving this place, my friends, and saying goodbye to my family was nothing short of overwhelming.

I may have been taught about finances in economics, my mother may have taught me how to balance a checkbook or do laundry, and I may have even read countless college and lifestyle blogs, but even then, I still don't know exactly what it's going to be like. Although entering the unknown can be uncomfortable and even daunting, it's what makes us stronger people.

I have never really thought about what moving five hours away from home will be like, and it's difficult to imagine myself living in a new area and have to start all over and make new friends. Despite this change, I am learning to embrace it. Sometimes we long to have total control, which is an unrealistic desire because the outcome is completely out of our hands.

College is a fresh start, a new opportunity to grow into the person I have always wanted to become, and although I may be a bit intimidated by this massive step forward in my life, I am beyond excited to see where it takes me.