Sometimes we wish that life could have a redo button. One that we can click and suddenly we are given another chance to learn from our mistakes. One that gives us the chance to start over with a clean slate.

Unfortunately, life isn't that simple. If it were, then we would all be living the perfect life. As much as we might like to have the chance to start over, to take back things that we have said or done, we can't. Life is harder that way. It allows us to grow and to make mistakes because being perfect isn't the best life to live.

However, there are certain cases where we do have a chance to better ourselves and live a different life. A start to a new year allows us to learn from the mistakes of the previous one. A new semester in school lets us take new classes, starting a new, clean slate with different professors and peers. We have a chance to get better grades than the previous semester, or to be more involved. When we move to a new town or place where no one knows us it happens, too-- we get that chance to start over fresh.

This can be a great thing if you need time to get away, to forget everything and everyone for a short while. It's okay to have these feelings of wanting to escape. It's normal to want to avoid the things that cause us stress.

But in most cases, hiding from your problems isn't the best option. Leaving school because you're tired of the drama or the people who are impacting you negatively is merely running away from the issue. Often it is better to just confront the problem head-on, or to just let go of the situation or the people who are the cause of your unhappiness.

But sometimes we really do need to leave and have a clean slate. This happens when you graduate from high school or college and then move to a new city. You have to start over, most of the time, because almost no one knows you. There are a few things to take into account when wanting to start over. First, know exactly why you want to start over. Know what it is you aim to learn or do. If you're moving away because of work or anything that is out of your control, then you can still learn from the mistakes you have made in the past-- or the victories-- and better yourself from them.

Personally, I can't wait to go on to the next stage of my life because I get to have a fresh start. I may forget people that I have met in passing, but the one thing that I will never forget are the lessons that I have learned. I can't wait for my new chapter and a new beginning. As much as I love and enjoy where I currently am in life, I need change. And for me, the only way to get that change is to start over in a new school, with new friends and new experiences. But first I need to finish where I am before I move on to start anew.