Usually, when you go off to college you often face an abundance of questions from new people that you meet: "where are you from?" "what's your major?" etc. And all are almost immediately met with a nice and sincere reply until I'm asked the basic question - "where did you go to high school?" This is where the weird looks and comments come in.

I tell them the name of my high school and their faces always stare blankly at me with confusion until I try to ease their puzzled minds with the simple statement of informing them that "it's an all-girls school." This is where their eyes widen, their jaws drop, and they are still in utter shock and disbelief.

"You went to an all-girls high school?" They ask. "How did you do that? I could NEVER!" But contrary to what others may think, going to an all-girls school was one of the best decisions I made, and while I can only give them a brief schpele in a short amount of time as to why I loved going to an all-girls school, which is why I decided to take the time to draw up 10 reasons why going to an all-girls school was the best thing EVER.

1. The insane amount of school spirit.

Every basketball game, volleyball game, soccer game, the bleachers were always packed ESPECIALLY if you were playing your rival school. Every state game was attended wearing your school colors with pride, with your uniform on showing your support for your school. You cheered the loudest, screamed the hardest, and yelled your school song at the top of your lungs, and the school spirit you had was on a whole other level. You went all out for your school because you loved it with all your heart and you were never afraid to show it and let it be known.

2. There's ALWAYS food... always.

Whether it be someone's birthday, a club meeting, a random Friday, a holiday, or just because someone recommended having a potluck next week, there was always food around - and lots of it. In high school, you lived off of buffalo chicken dip and an abundance of cookies and brownies, and anything remotely unhealthy - and it's one of the things I miss most.

3. The uniform.

At my high school, we wore jumpers and it was THE comfiest thing I owned. Not only was it a thing of comfort, but our uniform was our symbol. It was the staple of our high school and it's what set us apart from all of the other schools. It's what brings you all together and makes you feel connected to each of your classmates.

My jumper has been with me for so many things; it's seen my first and last day of high school, three basketball state championships, many laughs, tears, and memories, as well as coffee spills, crumbs, questionable stains and occasional hems that would come undone that you would quickly have to staple back up so you wouldn't get a demerit. I still have my jumper with me at college because that's how much sentimental value it has to me, and it is something that I will keep with me forever.

4. The endless amount of traditions.

Your school's traditions are a BIG deal because they've been around since your school was founded and they are the heart and soul of your school's community. It's what brings you closer together and it's another unique part of your school that makes you love it even more. From "Just Because Day," to mission week, TP Night, homecoming and spirit week - where tensions are high and the competition is on between all of the classes; to Junior Ring - where you finally receive your class ring that you and your classmates will wear for years and years, even in college, and that will cause you to be stopped in the grocery store or mall by an alum because she saw that you were wearing your class ring.

It's the coolest thing to feel connected to so many people through the traditions that your school has established, and they are one of the most memorable parts of high school.

5. Didn't brush your hair this morning? No problem.

If you didn't shower last night, brush your hair, or put any makeup on, no worries. There are no boys to impress and everyone's rocking the same messy pony and headband look that you are.

6. You knew everyone in your class.

Many all-girls schools are typically smaller than your average public school. I graduated with 89 girls in my class and it was the best thing ever because I knew every single person.There's never a face that you didn't recognize and there's never a name you didn't know, and when it comes time to graduate it's bittersweet because you've seen those girls every day for four years, and all of a sudden you have to part ways.

We all got along, we were able to laugh and share funny stories about something funny that one of our teachers said or did in class, and we could talk about anything because no topic of discussion was off limits. We experienced homecoming together, prom together, winning spirit week together, TP night together, and the list goes on and on. We all knew each other and are in each other's memories from high school forever, so it causes you to have such a strong bond as a class.

7. There's always an immense feeling of comfort.

You always had someone to laugh with, dance embarrassingly bad with, and say "hi" to as your passing from class to class. You never had to worry about not knowing anyone, or having anyone laugh at you or being afraid of embarrassing yourself because everyone had your back. I like to think of it as having people who will laugh with you instead of at you. In high school, I drove a silver minivan to school and my best friend used to sing at the top of her lungs when she walked from class to class. I've seen girls wear groutfits on dress out days, girls who have gone all out in the most ridiculous costumes for Halloween and spirit week, girls take tumbles walking downstairs, and many other funny and somewhat embarrassing moments; and you never had to worry about being made fun of or feeling embarrassed.

We all just messed and joked around with one another and didn't take ourselves too seriously because we were all so comfortable with one another and with the environment we were in. You didn't have to try to be something you weren't because there was no one to impress. These girls built you up and taught you how to laugh at yourself and all of your embarrassing moments instead of shying away from them.

8. Popularity wasn't a thing.

We were all on the same level and always kept each other grounded and in check. Yes, there were girls who were more well known and more involved than others, but other than that there was no "popular." There was no exclusive clique who wouldn't talk to anyone outside of their group, and while we did have our separate friend groups who we hung out within and outside of school, we always talked and bonded with other girls outside of our friend group as well.

We acknowledged girls who worked hard, and who were themselves, and the girls who were nice and always friendly to others were the ones who we always nominated for homecoming and prom court. It didn't matter how shy or quiet you were because everyone noticed you and wanted to build you up. We gave credit where credit was due and recognized girls for who they were, not for how pretty they were, or who they were dating, or what they wore; it was about how you treated others and that was what we valued most.

9. You're able to form great and genuine relationships with your teachers.

This is when you begin to find out how cool your teachers actually are. You could always just strike up a conversation with them, joke around with them, and pop in and say hi as you passed their room in the hall. You and your friends could talk with them and laugh with them about things that weren't related to school, and if you ever needed help with an assignment they were always more than happy to help you out. Even now as a college student, it's so great going back to visit and seeing all of your old teachers and getting to talk and catch up with them like nothing's changed, and talking with your friends from high school about all the teachers you love and miss.

10. The sisterhood.

Okay Okay, I know this one's cheesy but hey it's absolutely, 100 percent true. One thing I loved the most about going to an all-girls school was feeling like I was part of a family. The girls I went to high school with weren't just my classmates or just another face in the hall, they were my sisters. We went through ups and downs and shared all these incredible memories with one another and there was no better feeling than to know if I ever needed anything, that those girls would have my back.

When a girl in my class's parent passed away, every single one of our classmates showed up to the funeral to support her, if you were ever having a bad day there was always someone who would pick you up, even if you weren't close friends with them. I remember being a Junior and beating the Seniors in spirit week and jumping up and down, crying and hugging all of my classmates because we worked so hard and came together to win, and I remember crying with my classmates on our last day of school because our four long years together were coming to an end. It's so hard to explain to people what being a part of a sisterhood like that feels like, it's one of those things that you have to experience for yourself; but all I know is that I couldn't have been luckier to be a part of it.

All in all going to an all girls school is one of the best things I ever did and I couldn't imagine who I would be, and where I would be today without it. I know to some it's unfathomable trying to imagine someone wanting to go to an all girls school, but I'd do it again in a heart beat. It's not just my high school but it's my home away from home, and it, along with all the girls in it, will always hold a special place in my heart.

To my Incarnate Word Academy sisters, this one's for you. I love you all and couldn't imagine my life without you. Praised be the Incarnate Word!