I remember the first day of my freshman year of college very vividly. My dorm room was set up quickly with the help of my family, and I was living on the right side of the room. I had blue bedding, a wall sign that expressed my optimistic outlook on life to anyone who entered the room, and pictures of my friends from home plastered all over the wall. I remember looking around the room and thinking, "this is it. For the next four years, this campus will be home." I was proud and happy, I had found a place that fit me.

I had lunch in a small courtyard on campus with my parents and brother. A female student politely asked if she could sit with us because her family couldn't make it to move in day, and we cheerfully welcomed her to our table. She was very personable, and immediately opened up about her college experience. She was transferring in as a junior, and this was her third college in three years. I remember blatantly stating that I could never imagine transferring that many times, and that I would probably stick it out at the same college even if I hated it. The girl just laughed and continued to talk about her experiences. Life is about the moments, and this one clings to my mind every time move in day approaches because there has never been any moment foreshadowed in my life as strongly as this one. This year I enter college as a senior, and this is the first year that I am returning to the same college that I left in the spring. Just like the woman, I went to three colleges in three years. "Hi, I'm Jess, and I'm a transfer student."

The truth behind transferring is that it sucks. I hate it. It's a process, and something always goes wrong. That might not be everyone's case, but I have never had an easy transfer, and at this point, I'm a freaking expert. Whether it's my medical records not transferring in on time, or credits being lost in the move, it has never gone my way. But that isn't the worst part. There was never a worse feeling for me than walking into a new place and not having any friends. I thought the first day of my freshman year was going to be the only day I experienced that feeling, but it has since happened three different times. It's hard, and it really doesn't get easier for the type of person that sucks at small talk and conversation with brand new people. Honestly, forcing myself to go through that every year probably helped me develop as a person and made me more sociable in awkward settings, but it would have been nice to return to a group of friends year to year as I made my way through my college life. But now I know that I can start over anywhere, even if I am by myself. I can make the move, and I know that it will all be okay.

In the end, I left behind some of the greatest people I have ever met. They're scattered across the states, and some I will never get to see again. If there's a day I remember just as vividly as freshman move in day, it's move out day. I stayed awake all night with one of my best friends. She lived an ocean away and was leaving first, so sleep wasn't really an option. When I left my first college, I didn't know until the end of summer that I would not be going back, so I never truly got to say goodbye to my friends. I left thinking I would see them again in a few short months, but I've only seen them once in two and a half years. And I guess there's no true way to properly say, "hey, I'm never going to see you again, but it was nice to meet you and thanks for spending almost every day with me for nine months. Have a good life!"

Perhaps it was better not to know, but really it sucks feeling like you have a home in multiple different cities across one state. You have a sense of belonging attached to each place, so being in one spot never truly feels like home. In a way it's a blessing. I have so many friends, more than I would if I stayed at the same college all four years. I have developed perspectives and met so many interesting people. I'm glad to be where I am in life, and as much as I loved my first college, I couldn't imagine graduating from any other college than the one I will this spring.

Summer is coming to an abrupt end this year, and for the first time in my entire college career I am going back to a place where I have a life established. I have friends, an apartment, and the campus figured out. It's a relief; the stress I've carried around from year to year is no longer burdening me. It's an experience that's long since been delayed, and one I cannot wait to undergo. Looking back, I'm glad that I perpetually changed schools. Though I'm sad that I no longer see my friends from previous college ventures, constantly changing area codes got me to a place that I love dearly. I speak so highly of my current position, I couldn't imagine wanting to be anywhere else. As sappy as it sounds, it did work out for the best.