Since it is almost time to go home for a whole month for break, I have been reflecting back on growing up in my hometown. I am a junior so my life has changed tremendously since beginning college. Going home for breaks still always gives me a sense of nostalgia, and makes me reminisce about high school memories.

I'd be lying if I said I don't miss anything about high school. I miss the friends I made, even though some of them were not forever friends. I miss getting to see my very best friends every single day. Yes, I miss many of my teachers. I had some of the best teachers, who I actually formed relationships with.

I miss all of the unique memories like going on a class trip to Cedar Point, and the senior water balloon fight at the end of the year. I don't even like football, but you bet I miss watching football on Friday nights. The atmosphere of seeing the stadium lights shining down on the field, and cheering on our team in the middle of a corn field was like nothing else. I will always remember how it felt to walk across the stage at graduation, with all of my friends and family watching me.

Now, there are also many things I do not miss. I don't miss not having the freedom to make my own decisions, and being constrained between four walls. I don't miss going to school in the middle of nowhere. I don't miss how judgmental people seemed to be. Being unique is a wonderful thing, but it is looked down upon by high schoolers. I don't miss feeling so alone at times. I don't miss the fake friends, who only cared about you for like a week.

College is without a doubt way better than high school, and let me tell you why. There are endless opportunities for you, that you may not have had in your hometown. In college, being unique is a positive thing. You are no longer looked at as the "weird kid" or the "quiet kid", you are just you. After high school I realized I did not like being in the middle of nowhere. In college, you are surrounded by so many resources, activities, sights to see. You also learn who your real friends are. My real best friends from school are still my best friends today, and we talk almost every single day.

I will always miss some things about my life before college. But I am so glad I'm not there anymore. It's good to branch out and experience new things in life. Sure, you made so many good memories before, but you make many more in college. My advice is to just never forget your roots. Even though it's in the past, it still had a major impact on who you have become today. So, always cherish those memories, but go out and make more, even better memories.