As my first semester in college just recently came to an end, I have realized how much I have changed, and how I really had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Here are some of the things I had to conquer when moving to a whole new place to go to school.

First off, new places. I chose to attend a school that is an hour and 40 minutes from my hometown, the city I have spent my whole life in. From Mt. Holly, North Carolina, to Greenville, South Carolina, I had to adjust to living in a different state, and not knowing where everything is, which was hard for me. As an anxious person, I like knowing where things are, I like planning out things and knowing every detail, so moving to a whole new place got me out of that very quickly. Sometimes you just have to start driving praying you find a Walmart or a Target for whatever you set out to get. After a semester in a new city and state, I have gotten pretty familiar with where everything is close by, and I would never have if I had not gotten out of my comfort zone and just drove around with no idea where I was going.

Secondly, meeting new people. This one I was quite worried about, as all college students are. I left a home where I had a nice group of friends that I have known since middle school. I was leaving them to go to a place where I knew no one. I never thought that was the best decision I ever made, but I am here to tell you that it was. I was shocked how easy it was to find a group of friends that I connect with so well. But with meeting new people, I had to do something that wasn't comfortable to me in the slightest, and that was trusting them. Looking back now, I think I was silly to be so worried about putting my trust in people I hardly knew because of how wonderful I have found them to be, but it was hard for me at the time.

Lastly, this was the fun part, getting to do new things with new people. Where I go to school there are tons of beautiful overlooks to visit. In just months of being at school, I have been very lucky to see some of the most beautiful scenic views in the foothills of Greenville, South Carolina. This is more of a getting out of your dorm room than getting out of your comfort zone. But with getting out of your dorm room, you have to be okay with riding up winding roads, facing great heights, lack of civilization, and ignoring your phone to take in such beautiful sites.

I realized that college really got me out of what I am used to, the people, the places, the experiences, I know I would never be this happy in life without them.