A conversation I had before one of my classes a few days ago struck a thought inside of me that I feel important enough to share with everyone. I made a passing comment in a conversation with a few people about my efforts and thoughts of possibly transferring to another school farther into my college career. One of the people in this conversation looked at me with a perplexed expression and proceeded to ask me why I was leaving 'us' at IUN. I simply said that I felt the need to experience living on campus and in a dorm without my parents (which is only one of a few reasons). The response I got was one I had never, ever received before from someone when I told them this information. The student proceeded to look at me and then followed my comment with, "I hate when people say that." His opinion on the subject was that nobody should waste that amount of money on leaving when you could stay home and try and save that money for your future.

Besides the numerous reasons to go away (scholarships, diverse class options, job opportunities, connections, etc.) the biggest reason I have and will give anybody on going away to college is experience. I want to experience going away for college while I can. Three years from now, during my first semester of my senior year, I do not want to regret any opportunity not taken or path unexplored. Even if I go away and come back home after a semester, if I'm back where I started in three years, I wouldn't regret anything because at least I tried. I would say 'no' every time someone were to ask me if I regret it. I'm experiencing staying home and commuting right now, I'm experiencing new things and trying new paths out for myself. I'm currently doing stuff some people never have done and might never do and I don't regret it either.

I ask you, as a reader, think about the phase of life you are currently in. How old are you? Where are you at in life? Do you regret any opportunity you didn't take when you had the option to take it? Forget about money, schedules, and any other obstacle that was facing against you. Now, do you regret not taking it? One by one, add back the obstacles. Money? Work more, apply for scholarships, save more, spend less. Busy schedule? Plan ahead. Even if you have to wait, at least you still plan on doing it. Better late, than never at all. fear? You have survived every day thus far. never let fear stop you from living our your dreams. Never say you can't. You can only blame yourself if you don't even try.

A perfect example of this is someone I met this year at college. She's a lovely, down to earth girl with a passion for traveling in her heart. She tells stories in class that I could never image experiencing at this point in my life. She's visited Norway, Denmark, Greece, and England. She told me she plans to go to Italy on her next trip. The stories she's told, the places she's seen, this pictures she's taken, it's just so amazing to me. She's only 20 years old. Some people won't experience all of that until much later in their lives. She is such an inspiration, and she, as well as the guy from that conversation, have added fuel to a fire of thought burning inside of me for a while now: Experience everything you can.

Do the impossible while it's still possible.