The longest I've ever been at one school was four years. That was my high school. I don’t know how common it is for people to move schools, but for me five schools was a lot. I never really thought about it though until I got to high school.

In my high school, the kids had known each other since kindergarten. There was one middle school, one high school, and three elementary schools in the area. You met everyone in your class by sixth grade and any new student was obvious.

For me this was the weirdest thing. I had gone to three different elementary schools and one wacky middle school. The easiest part of changing schools again was actually changing the school. The hardest part? Making lasting friends.

I constantly felt like an outsider because I didn't have that special bond that everyone else seemed to have. I was very lucky though to have found a girl who moved the same time I did. We had so much in common and had so many classes together that it was just natural for us to become friends. While we didn't become best friends it was nice to have someone to go back to when I needed a little help or even an ear to hear me.

While it was not always fun to change schools, it was helpful. I learned to adapt really well to different teaching styles. I also learned to make fast friends. I found ways to pick out the people I would get along with. And most importantly, I was given the opportunity to see what it’s like to learn in different ways.

I’m sure you’re wondering what kind of schools I’ve been in. First was a public school for kindergarten. Some say it doesn’t count, but it definitely does. I spent whole days away from my parents. I rode the bus to and from school and I ate lunch in the cafeteria!

My second school was home. My parents decided that public school wasn’t the right fit for their kids, so they pulled us out and tried to teach us at home. Emphasis on the tried. Just imagine three rowdy kids and one parent trying to work at home.

While that experience was draining, I think it was one of the most important. We were all young, but me and my siblings spent more time together creating a weird bond that followed us to adulthood.

The next year my parents sent all three of us to a private school! I know, it sounds fancy. We spent three years at this tiny school down the street. Now, when I say tiny I mean TINY! I was one of two girls in the whole second grade class.

I really enjoyed this school. I made some friendships that I wish had lasted. I also didn’t have homework just because my teacher didn’t believe in it! Looking back on it now though, I think the teachers could change a bit.

I was home schooled again after leaving the private school behind. This time I was the only student and I was done with class by noon. Because I was the only student though, things were a little different. My dad taught me certain subjects and my mom picked up the others. I also became very lazy. After that year things changed...

My middle school was a performing arts school and to say things were strange is an understatement. I really enjoyed my time there. I love my classmates (most of them) and it was a much bigger school than I was used to!

My one problem though was: laziness. I had gotten into a routine of minimal school work and no effort at home. So when I went to school, these habits followed me.

By the time I got to high school I was not the best student around. I think my favorite thing about that school was the people. I loved them all so much. I had a wacky friend group and we all got along so well. The school was also small enough that I knew everyone in my grade! A majority of them were super nice too.

If I could take one thing from my experiences in all schools it would be: hard work and dedication. Now that I’m in college I know why I had so much work to do and why I was pushed to do it. Being on your own is so much different than being at home. While I do have the same support group in my parents, I don’t have them constantly over my shoulder telling me what to do.