Since the start of my school years, I always knew of that one day when I would go to college. In college there are two options, either to live on campus or commute. My first two years of college were spent at a community college, so my only option was to commute as the college didn't have dorms. It was about a half hour to 45 minute drive, depending on traffic and road conditions. My first semester there, I had class every single day, then I realized this wasn't the most effective use of my time or gas. I started making my schedule to fit into only two or three days that way I was maximizing my time to the best that I could.

When my time was up at the community college, I decided to transfer to a four year university. The plan was to continue to commute since it was actually closer to my house than the community college. I began to overthink my decision of commuting and ended up changing my mind half way through the summer. I now wanted to experience what it was like to live on campus.

Living on campus and being away from home for the first time was great. I was given all the freedom in the world, I had a car to drive wherever I pleased, no one to tell me what I can and cannot do, and most importantly I was in charge of myself. I no longer had a curfew (I had one of 12:30 a.m.) so I could go in and out as late as I pleased. The first night I had moved into my dorm, my roommate and a couple friends ended up going out to a local party off campus. That was the first house party that I had ever gone to and it was a blast.

My roommate Lauren was from the United Kingdom and we instantly bonded, she ended up being one of my closest friends. Living with someone was a little hard to get used to at first, I was used to having my own room for many years. I am so thankful that Lauren and I get along so great and we are the perfect level of both messy and clean.

I am so gad I got the experience to dorm as everyone should get to experience what it's really like to live at college, however it is certainly not for everyone, and I learned that the hard way. I was so used to having someone constantly checking up on me (Thanks Mom and Dad!) that I let myself slip. I wasn't focused on school and ended up having the hardest time adjusting to the campus life. I had trouble balancing my school work, my social life and my jobs. I spent quite some time watching movies and out with friends when I should have been studying. My grades surely did suffer the fall semester, they were the worst they had ever been.

I don't regret my decision to live on campus, it has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have met lots of great people and experienced lots of great memories I wish I could relive. I made a ton of mistakes ( I am human overall) that will help me grow into a better person.

Going into the Spring semester, I now know what to do and not to do, and will surely make the very best of it!