Whether you decide to stay home or go away, there is so much to look forward to in college! Meeting new people, being exposed to new things, living in a new environment, and going on adventures with those new friends are just a few. There will be many highs and many lows and you need to take them as they come.

Enjoy every minute of the good and the bad, because those moments will form stories on the pages in your book of life.

Going away was the best decision I could've ever made for myself for several reasons. Even though I love to be close to my family and friends, I needed to escape the bubble. I'm sure many of you can relate, being that many towns across the U.S. have their "bubbles." I'm happy to say that I'm the only person from my graduating class of 300 to attend the University of Rhode Island.

This doesn't negate the depression and extreme sadness I felt when I parted ways with my girl friends... but it has pushed me to be my own person and form new connections without relying on others. I've overcome boundaries, tried new things, and made my own decisions that would benefit me as a person...and it's truly the best feeling!

I've met so many amazing people in my first year alone. Teachers, friends, classmates. And as much as I love being home for the summer, all the memories I made and bonds I formed my freshman year make me even more excited to go back in the fall than I was to start my college journey! It's really amazing that I'm just three-and-a-half hours away from my home on Long Island getting an education and making memories with people from a range of different states. The beauty of going away is that you develop relationships with guys and girls whom you never would've met if you didn't take the leap.

Going to a university with over 15,000 students was (and still is) all I've ever wanted and more! I don't feel like a small fish in a large pond. I don't feel like I'm just a number. I feel like I'm making a name for myself, by joining a sorority, participating in class and attending events at my university. College is what you make of it! You can sit in your dorm and watch Netflix when you're ready to go to sleep... GET UP AND MAKE MEMORIES EVERY CHANCE YOU HAVE!! Every waking moment is one that should be spent having fun with people you enjoy being around. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Take risks. And say YES (or no, depending on the situation). Everyone has their weirdos, and let me tell you...I'm so freakin' happy that I found mine.

(And if a friend passes you a joint, take the hit and enjoy the feeling — it'll make for another story for your book of life.)