I am currently at Gustavus Adolphus College as a full-time PSEO student. I am not even from St. Peter, I am actually from Rochester, you know the big city with Mayo Clinic? That's me! Moving away from home a year earlier than my friends and committing to college was a big choice, and I have definitely learned a lot from it. Plus when I went to find articles about this, none really related to me, so now I'm writing to all you seniors wondering if it's a good idea.

First of all, I realized how rusty I am at making friends. This point hit me instantly when I had to get to know my roommate and all the people in my orientation group and all the people on my floor etc. I had to learn how to get to know someone again. While I knew I would have to do it, I didn't realize how bad I am at it! I guess growing up with the same friends since seventh grade means I haven't had to go through the awkward "so... you have siblings? yes? Oh, cool me too!..." types of conversations for a while. Luckily, I have gotten better at it, and I know the only important questions are "do you like Poptarts?" and "do you watch Criminal Minds?"

Second, I learned that there are many different things to do in college, whether it be sports, clubs, campus activities, or even hanging out with random friends-of-a-friend in the dorms across campus. It is so fun to be able to try out different activities to see what you enjoy, and there is definitely something for everyone. A program I'm working with matches college kids with kids from St.Peter and we get to hang out weekly. But there are other things too like a juggling club and sports like rugby and if none of these intrigue you, I'm sure they've got something for you. My point is, there are lots of opportunities to make friends and feel like you belong.

In addition, I learned how different but also cool it is to actually live with someone who isn't your parents. Not only do you get to have your own designing abilities and minifridge (where you keep your ice cream and applesauce because you CAN), but you also essentially get a built-in friend in your roommate. They are there when you wanna complain about the girl you just can't get along with when you wanna listen to One Direction songs on full blast, and even just when you wanna get dinner. Plus, you can go into town or just out and you don't have to ask for your parents' permission or report your whereabouts when you're an hour later than you planned.

Lastly, the most important thing I learned is that being away from family and friends makes me appreciate them ten times more than when I was at home.

While at home, I took for granted all the times my mom did my laundry, all the times my dad cleaned my room, and even all the times my brother burst into my room to show me a quality vine compilation he found. Plus I took for granted the convenience of being 10 minutes away from all my friends with constant access to a car. Now that I'm here, I realize I have to do my own laundry, I have to clean my own room, and I even have to find my own vine compilations. Plus, while my friends can visit, they are just as busy as I am, and the hour and a half drive is quite the journey just to go to the mall. Being away makes me excited for all the times I get to come home.

So seniors, if you're thinking about doing full-time PSEO, whether it's 2 miles away from your home or 90 miles like me, hopefully you see all the cool things you'll get to experience and really appreciate the time you have home, because your life will never be the same after you leave.