When I was in high school, most of my graduating class knew what colleges they were going to long before our senior year. I was not a part of this majority, I didn't decide on a college until three months before graduation, and then again a month before graduation. Like most people, I always had my out-of-reach school (University of Michigan), the school I really wanted to attend (Eastern Michigan University), and my safe school (University of Toledo). I crossed the out-of-reach school off of my list as early as my sophomore year because I knew it would be hard to get into and hard to pay for.

When I narrowed my list down to Eastern and Toledo, I thought things would be easier, and they were for the most part. I knew I had two options: I either stay in Toledo where I've been my whole life, or I get out of Toledo for at least four years. When I put the schools into a stay or go perspective, my mind was made up. I just had this feeling about Eastern that I could not shake. I knew this was the school I was supposed to be at. It was at that point I decided that I would be going to Eastern.

Once I decided on Eastern, I made the cliche Facebook "Happy to announce I'm going here and studying this" post. Everything seemed to be perfect; I was excited about this and so were the people around me. As the days went on, the excitement on my end slowly started to fade more-so into an anxious feeling. I started to second guess my decision, every day became a back and forth battle on if I should really go to Eastern or not. Once May of my senior year of high school hit, I decided to stay home and so began my journey as a UT Rocket.

My fall semester of my freshman started on August 24, 2015. The first day of college is unlike any first day of school that I've ever experienced. Everything is so new, exciting, and intimidating. I was that lanyard freshman walking around looking at my schedule on my phone so I would know where to go. When I finally adjusted to being a college student, I thoroughly enjoyed my freshman year. I made some memories, met tons of new people, and even ended up on Dean's List for the spring semester.

As my sophomore year approached, things started to get weird. Something inside of me was all of a sudden begging for change. With that being said, I changed my major from Criminal Justice to Social Work. I thought since helping others was my one true passion, this would satisfy the change that I craved oh-so-badly. Switching my major helped a little bit, but not as much as I thought it would. As the days went on I slowly started to realize that I made a huge mistake. My mistake was going to UT and I don't say that with any ill-feelings towards the school.

They say you always know when you belong somewhere and when you don't belong somewhere. In my case, I knew I belonged at Eastern and knew I didn't belong at UT. I spent part of winter break in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with some close friends and in that week away from Toledo, I decided it was finally time for me to leave. The Spring 2017 semester started and my motivation was at an all time low because I didn't want to be in Toledo anymore.

I was sitting in my Astronomy lecture when I reapplied to Eastern, this time as a transfer student. There was no doubt in my mind that this is what I want, what I need. I was happier than a little kid on Christmas when I got the acceptance letter. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. So while I think I should've been at Eastern the whole time, I also believe that I needed these past two years in Toledo. I can't wait to see where this next chapter of my life takes me. Go Eagles!