Going to school at Niagara University has been one of the best adventures I've ever had. It has provided me with so many opportunities and amazing friends that I would never have imagined having. I still have three years left here, but I'm already dreading the day I walk off this campus for the last time. That being said, there are still times that I miss being home immensely. I'm six hours away from my native land- Pennsylvania- and unless you've ever lived there you probably wouldn't understand why I hate being away from it months on end. So I'll enlighten you with five reasons it's so hard for a Pennsylvanian go to school hundreds of miles from home.

1. Day one friends.

The transition to college is hard enough without my day ones to tough it out with me. They're the people who have been with me through all my weird phases and somehow still love me. I can vent to them about anything even if I sound ridiculous. I don't have to worry about being myself around them because they've put up with me for so long. To be away from them is like losing a small part of myself. I miss them every day and count the days until I can see them again.

2. Food.

There is so much amazing food in Niagara Falls and Lewiston like Mighty Taco, The Griffon Gastropub, Brickyard Pub & BBQ, etc. that it's hard to believe that I miss food from anywhere else. The truth is, when you live in PA there are so many delicious treats to miss. I can't stand going so long without hoagies from Wawa (don't say hoagie in New York, you'll thank me later), custard from Rita's Water Ice, cheesesteaks from Philly, and so much more. There are obviously some pretty amazing places to get food in this area, but I miss my tasty treasures found in Pennsylvania.

3. Being around family.

I constantly think of my family while I'm at school and it's never enough to make me want to travel the six hours home, but thinking of them definitely puts me in the feels. It makes it easier when I have friends and teammates that are like siblings to me. Though it never fully makes up for being around my family who I know always has my back. Sometimes I become overwhelmed and need stability and people I can confide in without worrying they will judge me. My family is like my rock and we're stuck with each other, but I wouldn't want it any other way. At school, it's tough to think I can't walk into the next room and be with them.

4. Amazing places and landmarks.

When most people think of PA the first thing that comes to mind are the Amish, then farms, then Quakers, then Hershey's chocolate. While those things each have a home in Pennsylvania, they aren't the only reason people go to the keystone state. We have the Pocono Mountains for skiing and snowboarding, Philadelphia for duck boat tours and the liberty bell, Dorney Park for roller coasters, and so many historical landmarks you can learn from. Driving around is relaxing because you can blast music, travel back roads, and become transfixed by beautiful farms and fields. If you ever have the time, you should sit out one day and watch the sunset. The sky becomes a smear of magnificent pinks, oranges, and yellows that will captivate you like no other state can.

5. Alone time.

I love my friends from school to death and wouldn't trade them for anything, but there are times when I wish I could just sit at home a couple days and unwind. And yes when I say unwind, I mean without any school work dragging me down and taking up every free second I have. I just need a couple days to be alone and not have any obligations, but I know this is not realistic. Hey, a girl can dream, right?

I count down the days until I can be back at home and enjoy every second I get to spend there. Though every time I come back to Pennsylvania, by the end of my vacation I'm ready to be back at school. I tend to miss the busy schedule I have there and all the friends I've grown to adore. I know I come from a remarkable place when I miss it at school, and I know I picked the right school when I can call Niagara my home away from home.