Thinking about where you want to spend the next four years of your life after high school can be a scary and stressful time. You have many opinions thrown at you by family members and friends telling you where you should and should not go; all while you are trying to figure out which decision is best for you.

When you are deciding on where you want to go, it is important that you block out all of the other opinions and just listen to YOUR heart and YOUR gut. For me, deciding where I wanted to go was not an easy decision to make. I thought I wanted to stay at home and go to school, but man am I glad I didn't.

If you are like me and you live in a small town, you know what it feels like to want to get out and get away. For me, I knew that there was more out there than my small hometown of Hurt, VA. I just had to take a leap and find it. Deciding to go away to college was one of the scariest and best decisions I have ever made.

In the beginning, I regretted my decision. I was homesick and missed my small hometown, but thankfully I have a mama that made me stick it out. Looking back on the last three years at my beautiful university, I am so thankful that I stayed. Going away to college helped shape me into the person that I am today. It brought me so many amazing opportunities and opened so many doors. I was exposed to different thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and perspectives on life. I learned to listen and take criticism. I learned to grow.

I think about all of the things I would have missed out on if I wouldn't have decided to go away to college. I wouldn't have met my best friends who love me and support me every day. I wouldn't have stepped out of my comfort zone and became involved in different organizations on campus. I wouldn't have made some of the best memories of my life.

Going away to school humbles you. I feel so blessed to be able to attend such an amazing university with so many amazing people. Whether you decided to go away to college or not, make sure you are making the best decision for you, but don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Take that leap and see what else is out there in the world.

The world has so much to offer, it's just waiting for you to find it.