Junior year of high school the world is your oyster. You're looking into four-year universities thinking you can go anywhere your heart desires. Until you start researching acceptance rates, tuition costs, and scholarships. I chose to go to community college out of high school and I don't regret it at all because I grew up.

When you're a senior in high school you think you're so ready to take on the world. You can't wait to move out and start a life on your own. At least that's what I thought. I applied to several universities and was accepted. However, when it came down to it, I wasn't going to be able to afford to attend a four-year university. All my friends chose the university route and I was the only one who went to community college. To sum it up, I felt left out.

Fall came around and I watched my high school friends move away and onto different lives. I attended my local community college and proceeded to live my life exactly how I was in high school. Only this time I was driving to college every morning; along with all the other kids who didn't go off to university. But again, I don't regret it. I'm 21 now and looking back on my 18-year-old self I can honestly say I am more mature and prepared as a college student now than I would've ever been right out of high school. I made mistakes. I failed classes. But I was able to learn from them and have the guidance of my parents and close friends along the way.

Not only did community college help me mature as an individual, but it saved me money. I single-handedly paid for my three years (should've been two but life happens) in community college on my own. I worked full-time and went to school; mastering the work/life balance. I was able to build my resume with retail and reception experience. If I were to have gone straight to a university, I would have had nothing on my resume. Which is what a lot of college seniors face when graduation sneaks up on them. Lastly, I graduated from community college with honors and my Associates of Arts degree in Communications and walked at my school's graduation with something I accomplished on my own.

Transferring to GCU was such an exciting opportunity because I was finally able to live out the dream I always had of going away to school. I knew I wanted to go to a private school after I attended a public community college. Grand Canyon University made the transfer process seamless. I was able to transfer all my credits and chose a minor to complement my major. I am currently finishing my degree in Communications with a minor in marketing.

You don't always have to do what everyone else is doing. It's okay to be different and to stand out from the crowd. Have the courage to follow the path that God has chosen for you because it's not always going to be the path you have in mind.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29-11