I remember sitting in the cafeteria, watching girls come and go in their flannels and cowgirl boots. My friend Madi and I exchanged disappointed glances. That night, Brad Paisley was performing at Taco Bell arena, located conveniently within walking distance from my dorm. That's right, a once-in-a-lifetime concert was taking place in our backyard, and we had opted not to go.

"It's too much money." "I have other concerts that I've bought tickets to." "I should just stay in and study anyways." So many excuses, but none that seemed to suffice that night as we walked back from dinner playing "Last Time for Everything" from our phone speakers. Madi and I were on the same page: it would have been worth the money, worth the time, and worth studying a little more the night before.

After getting to go to a variety of concerts in the past year, I've come to the conclusion that it's almost, always worth it. If you're thinking about buying the tickets, this is why you should:

1. In 5 years, it won't matter that you spent a little extra money

Concerts can be expensive, and sometimes it's hard to justify spending that much money. But chances are, down the road, you won't be missing the $100 you spent a few years back - in fact you won't even realize that it's gone.

3. It's better to collect moments than to collect things

I couldn't tell you what clothes I got for my birthday last year, but I could still tell you about the time my grandparents bought me "Disney on Ice" tickets for Christmas when I was 6. Some of the most memorable gifts and purchases are those that allow us to experience something new.

4. Concerts are the memories that keep on giving

For the rest of your life, there will be songs that remind you of the night you heard it live. You'll have pictures and videos and stories to share with your loved ones, and when certain artists come on the radio, you'll be eager to tell your friends about the time you almost touched their hand.

5. If you thought you loved an artist before, you'll love them even more after seeing them perform live

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Something about a concert seems to increase your appreciation for the music and the performer tenfold. You get to hear their stories, see their true personality, and experience their talent in its purest form.

6. When you miss out on a concert, you miss out on an entire experience

You miss out on the photos with your friends, waiting in line for hours, squeezing your way up front, taking videos until your phone runs out of battery, and then crying when it's all over.

7. It could be a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity

You never know if this will be your last chance to see them perform live.

9. It's the ultimate, bonding experience

You'll leave feeling closer than ever to the people you came with after a night of singing, dancing, laughing, crying, and fighting the crowds together.

10. It's a chance to live life to the fullest

You may not have the funds to travel to Europe yet, or the time to cross off every item on your bucket list, but you'll never feel more alive than when the lights go down and you hear the crowd around you start to scream.

In the previous story, fate was on our side, and in a stroke of random luck, Madi and I found ourselves singing along with Brad at Taco Bell arena all night long - for free. A few boys in our dorm had decided they no longer wanted their tickets, and out of the kindness of their hearts, they let us have their spots.

Brad Paisley Concert!Personal Photo

It's a night I'll never forget: calling Madi frantically to tell her the news, both of us chaotically throwing on the cutest outfit we could come up with in such short notice, and sprinting to and through the arena giggling the whole way. We walked in just as he was opening with "Last Time for Everything," and we looked at each other wondering how in the world we had ended up there.

It's one of my favorite memories from freshman year, and many of my other favorites involved singing along with my friends all night as well.

So take my advice, and buy the tickets.