I always thought I wanted to go to college out of state. By my senior year of high school, I was over everyone -- all the drama and conformity. I wanted to go to school thousands of miles away to get away from everything, and just start over. I thought that going to a school in a different city would solve all my problems and help me figure out who I am and what I want.

I am one that can say, in all honesty, the person I was in high school subdued the person I really am. For some reason, the environment at my high school cultivated conformity and cliques. The table you sat at on your first day of school was your group for the next four years. I hated this, it wasn’t for me at all, and I was unhappy. However, don’t get me wrong, I am extremely thankful that I was fortunate enough to attend my high school. I benefited so much from my education there. It pushed me academically, through athletics, involvement, and even emphasized the importance to serve the community. My list could go on forever about how much I benefited from my high school. Yet, by the end of those four years, I was ready to get out and be independent. It became my goal to go to school out of state.

Well, I learned that location doesn’t solve any of your problems. It is you. It’s what you make of every situation. The effort you put forth and your actions matter a great deal. Not where you are necessarily.

Contrary to what I initially wanted, I decided to go to school in state. Actually, in town. At first I was not the least bit happy with my decision. However, I had other things to consider other than what I wanted. Like the fact that I have three younger siblings that happen to be triplets. My parents still have to support them through high school and college. So, going out state, even with the scholarships I received would not have been the best decision for me and my family. I couldn’t afford to be selfish and go out of state.

I learned to get over this because I decided to make the most of the situation. I didn’t let the fallout of my plans take over me and my emotions. I could’ve let the fact that I wasn’t going to school in Nashville or California upset me and cause me to have a terrible experience at my current school, but I chose to make the most of my decision. I realized you don’t have to escape to a different state or city to learn who you are. No matter where you are, this can happen. It is all a matter of figuring all of this out yourself and not depending on anyone or anything else to help you.

Furthermore, I made a pact with myself that I would try my best to treat my college experience like I am out of state. I understand that these are my four years to be independent and figure things out on my own. Although it is very tempting to go home, since my parents' house is not too far from campus, I know it is for the best for me to stay on campus.

After living here my whole life I thought I knew everything about my hometown. Yet, campus is in a completely different part of the city. There is so much more to it than I had always been exposed to. Also, there is a good mix of people that I knew from high school and new people from other cities. I've met people in similar situations as me and we all handle it in our own ways. So, my advice to anyone feeling unsure about staying in state or even in town for college is that it isn't all that bad after all. Just be thankful you are getting an education no matter where it is. It is up to you to make the most of every situation you are put in, no matter where you are.