Ever since the beginning of time, people have always designed to savor the glorious phase of their youth. Everyone wants to look young and feel young for their entire lives. Most people even think the four years of high school are the best that a person can have. For me, I cannot find the epitome of truth in those beliefs. On the contrary, I am looking forward to starting college much more than I looked forward to starting high school!

I have held a truly special connection to Longwood University for as far back as my memory reaches. Even when I was too young to really understand the concept of what a college is, I always held the town of Farmville in high regard. I grew up with the familiarity of that college town, and the idea of Longwood University grew more and more in my mind as I got older.

Due to my decisive nature, I just knew that I wanted to go to Longwood someday. As unusual as it seems to be so sure about something on a college level at a middle school age, I think my instincts drove me to my future as well. I had a clear idea of who I wanted to be, and to this day, I still believe that Longwood can help me discover who I'm meant to become. Therefore, I made sure that my dedication to school would lead me to Longwood University when the time came to apply for colleges.

In spite of every ounce of excitement in me, I am no fool. I know that college is where and when a person gathers themselves together to figure out who they want to be. I know that some nights will be the best of my life while others will be immense struggles in learning life's biggest lessons. I may not know what form those grand details come in, but I recognize that they will exist in my near future.

Truth be told, I need my college experience much more than I want it if that can possibly be believed. A lot of people I know rejoice about the close distance between my hometown and my college town, even though that is the very last reason that I chose Longwood University. Rather, I chose Longwood because its warm atmosphere gave me an honest feeling of home.

As the days before leaving become fewer and fewer, I steadily prepare as best as I can. I'm finding that the process is much more than deciding what to pack or double checking to make sure everything is ready. Starting college is like many other fresh parts of life, especially because it involves facing the unknown straight on. I begin college with the certainty that even if I don't know what I'm in for yet, I am definitely headed in the right direction.