Being in college, there have been times where I wish I was back in high school. There are certain things that I miss, like spirit weeks and Friday night football. But while there are things I miss, if I had the choice I would not go back.

I learned a lot while being in high school. I made a lot of great friends and met people who helped change me. I got to experience things that someone in high school wants to experience. But I also experienced things that I never would want my worst enemy to go through.

If I could do high school all over again I would do it differently, but then I would not be the person I am today. I would not be where I am today or doing what I am doing now. Heck, if I did high school all over then I probably would not be writing for the Odyssey.

I like being independent and doing things at my own pace. I like figuring things out for myself and not having people jump down my throat if I decide to go down a different path. I like being able to make my own schedule so I have time to sleep between classes.

I like that I am a part of something that is bigger than myself. I have found my people while being away at college and while I thought I found most of them in high school, I did not even find half of them there. It is crazy how much a person can change in just their first semester of college due to being out of the high school state.

There are clubs in high school but there are so many more clubs in college that are so unique, and heck you can even make one! Yes, I miss homecoming week but my university goes above and beyond for homecoming week. While spirit weeks were fun and I went all out, it is great that I am able to participate in Greek Week with the whole Greek community. While prom was something we all looked forward to, formals and socials give you a reason to go all out more than once a year.

I feel that I missed high school when I first came to college because it was something I was used to and was familiar. Now that I am going into my junior year of college, I never want to go back. It is crazy how much I have learned being away and how much I have changed in positive ways.

They did not lie when they said that college is the time of your life. But yes, it is normal to miss high school at times. Yes, it can suck growing up and being away from home. At the end of the day, though, you grow so much as a person and can do so many things in college that you never thought possible. So… buckle up and get ready for the ride because once you are in the car to college, you’ll enjoy your time.