My eighth-grade year was rough. I had a teacher who bullied me and one friend who decided I wasn't good enough. I felt trapped and unloved by most of the people who surrounded me, so I decided I would go the early college. To be honest, I was giving up the only life I knew to go there. I was giving up softball, which I had practiced for years. I was also giving up some really good friends that stood by me through a lot, but I went anyway.

Early college gives people two kinds of reactions. They will either think you are so smart (even when you don't feel any smarter than the classmates you left behind), or they will roll their eyes and call you a weirdo. I have heard all the phrases someone could possibly send my way and I have soaked in all the insults, but I can gladly say going to an early college was the best decision of my life.

1. I have an associates degree and a high school diploma.

I went through a lot of sleepless nights and failed tests to achieve this one simple goal. To count in total, I took sixty-one credit hours along with ten (or more) high school classes over the past four years. My GPA fluctuated along with my sanity, but somehow I still came out with a 4.5. I owe that to tutoring, I suppose. I fought through so many assignments to achieve both of my diplomas and it was 100% worth the struggle.

2. It is full of the best people.

I have met some amazing, goal oriented people in my school. I was constantly surrounded by people who wanted to see me succeed and motivated me to do better. Not to mention, one of my fondest memories of my school was at a dodgeball game. I was the only one left standing on my team and the whole school cheered for me to win. The feeling of an entire school being behind you on something so small is so heartwarming.

3. I can put it on my resume.

When I was trying to find a job, I didn't know what to put down. I had written two novels, but I wanted something else to push me over the edge. Then, I remembered that going to an early college showed a drive for education and to pursue my passions. Any employer will be impressed with your motivation towards higher education and challenging yourself.

4. College applications are a piece of cake.

I have no clue how many essays I have written over the past four years, but the standards in college will help set the stage. Being in the college atmosphere gives you the chance to see college level writing. In each English class I was a part of, the teachers critiqued our papers and gave us constructive feedback on each essay. My writing went from a C average to an A+ in no time. This makes filling out complicated college essays so easy to write. If you can complete an argumentative essay for one of the hardest professors on campus, you can nail that college essay.

5. I still had a social life, but I was totally fine when I didn't.

I met so many incredible friends at my early college, but some weekends I just couldn't go out. Sometimes college takes over your time and it becomes impossible to make social plans, but don't fear! It will only be a matter of time before you learn to juggle assignments with your plans. On the other hand, keep in mind that it is okay that you will have to cancel every once in a while. College and high school should be a top priority. I recommend finding a good show on Netflix to reward yourself with after long nights of studying.

6. I'm going to miss it.

Honestly, I didn't think I would miss it. The worst days of my life were spent in those walls and I really thought I would never want to go back. On the day of graduation, I looked around at all the teachers I bonded with and all of my friends. I will never get an experience as unique as this one. The chance to go to a school that pushed me to achieve such great things is a one in a million opportunity. If you have a chance to go to an early college, do it. I promise that all the sports and "friends" in your life will not match the experience you will receive at an early college.