I’m not usually one to write serious articles or to be serious in general but as I pack up and leave my college town for summer it’s got me feeling some type of way. Of course, going home has its perks like seeing my psycho dog, my mom's cooking and reconnecting with old friends. However, I have moved on from that part of my life and I am proud to say I am not my hometown anymore.

Where I come from it’s really common to hang onto home along with everyone there. That is something I refuse to do. I didn’t hate high school but it definitely had its moments that no part of me wishes to go back to. It’s not that I’m ignorant or think I’m above anyone, I just made the decision to move on from it and no part of me regrets that decision.

Going “home” has now become very different for me after being away at college. Home is no longer the small town where I grew up. In fact, the city and people at my college are more home to me than any place has ever been. I am grateful to the people in my life; you give me way more than you know. My relationships that I have with my friends at college are considerably stronger and more genuine than those from high school. I would never have thought my soulmates would come from all different places and this late in my life. However, timing means nothing when it comes to relationships and I think a lot of people tend to forget that. Now school breaks once known as “vacation” that I used to count down to have become what I count down to get away from and I love it.

The best decision I ever made was to leave everything behind and make a new life for myself. Not only have I gained some of the best people in my life, but also I found a nitch in a new city that makes sense to me and feels right. To anyone who is scared of change, I hope you realize more good than bad comes with it and that this is the time to do it. Do what scares you. More than half of the opportunities I’ve had would not have happened if I was afraid of taking risks and had stayed in the safe zone of what was comfortable for me.

Going to a college 20 hours away was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Leaving behind what you always knew in your hometown doesn’t mean you can never go back, it just means you’re bigger than the person that once only knew that place. We are always changing, and as college students, it's time to embrace it.