I've learned so many lessons as a college student, but the most ironic part of it all is that barely any of these lessons have anything to do with college. For instance, college has taught me to appreciate my roots and it has made me fall in love with my hometown again.

Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator

You hear so many people say that they can't wait to leave home and start a new life somewhere. I used to be one of those people. I couldn't wait to graduate high school, go to college, and escape the nothing-to-do, small town where I've grown up. Like any teenager, I was tired of the same old house that I'd lived in all my life. I was sick of going to the movies and the mall every weekend (which weren't even actually located in my town), because there was nothing else to do. I was bored, and couldn't wait to live in a new place, but I was wrong about a lot.

Although I'm happy that I went away to school and have the chance to be independent and live on my own, there's just no place like home.

Whenever I drive home, I look at the familiar signs, streets, restaurants, etc... and even if it hasn't been that long, it just brings a smile to my face. This is my home and I wouldn't be where I am without it.

There's nothing like home-cooked meals or curling up next to my favorite dog. My bed is my bed, and no other bed is the same. My room is my room (even though my little brother stole my room, but that's beside the point).

When I walk into my backyard, I can picture the swing set where I got stung by a bee and I see the trampoline I used to jump on for hours. When I look out the window, I see myself learning to ride a bike. When I look at the wall in the kitchen, I see pencil marks that represent my height over the years. I see the laughs, the smiles, the tears, the anger, the sadness, and the happiness and it makes me so grateful.

For some reason, when I was younger, I always wanted to move and looking back now, I'm grateful for the fact that I had the chance to grow up in my house, on my street, in my town.

All of my childhood memories have taken place in this little New Jersey suburb and I wouldn't change them for anything. I've met the greatest friends, neighbors, teachers, and boyfriend here and to think that if I lived even ten minutes away, I wouldn't know any of these people boggles my mind.

As I'm writing this article, two of my favorite songs come into mind: "Thank God for Hometowns" by Carrie Underwood and "The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert. These artists explain my thoughts perfectly, so I thought I'd end with my favorite line from each.

"/Thank God for hometowns /And all the love that makes you go round /Thank God for the county lines that welcome you back in /When you were dying to get out /" (Carrie Underwood)

"/If I could just come in I swear I'll leave /Won't take nothing but a memory /From the house that built me /" (Miranda Lambert)

I'm proud of my hometown, and you should be too, so the next time someone starts ragging on their roots, I dare you to show them these songs.