I remember being in the exact place you were, about a year ago. My friends and family had all told me that I would get into what I thought to be the college for me. My ego was completely boosted. I had what I thought to be the perfect scores, essays, and resume. I checked my email that night for the long awaited letter confirming that I would be attending what I thought to be my perfect school that fall. I opened the email, and it wasn't there. My eyes quickly scanned the letter, with the first few words, saying "we regret to inform you..." and I stopped right there. Tears dripped onto my phone as I could feel my heart breaking. Drip. Drop. It's over. It's all over. My dreams, my hopes, and my image of how perfect I'd look in those school colors—it was all over.

After a few days of my pity party of one, I began to research the college that I now attend, the one that I previously considered to be my last resort. I dreadfully filled out the application, using some of the same essays I had used for the college I didn't get into. Fast forward a few weeks, I received an acceptance letter in the mail congratulating me on becoming a Pirate and showing me what my future could hold. I spent the next few weeks searching online trying to convince myself that this would be good for me, that being further away from my friends and going to my last resort college would suffice.

However, the moment I stepped foot on my campus, I knew it would suffice. No more searching online or researching the good things about my school, I just felt it. It felt real, and it felt more like home than I ever could have possibly imagined. The colors, the atmosphere, the beautiful scenery—it all felt real, and it was mine to call home. Turns out I didn't miss out on my dream college, I just didn't discover that my true dream college was right in front of me.

Isn't it funny, how you can get into one college using the same essays and resume you used at the college you did not get into? It just means that you weren't the perfect fit for that school. You may not have been what they needed right at that time, and whether you can see it right now or not, it may not have been what you needed either. You can be the most deserving person, and still not get into a college. But if you've done your best, I promise you that there is a college out there that deserves you and that's something to look forward to. I can't even imagine going to the school I originally considered my number one, because I would have never met the amazing friends I have, discovered some previously unknown passions, and found my love for college football (go, Pirates!)

So, if you're in the same position I was in just a year ago, I encourage you to reconsider all of your options and try to be the optimist in the situation. If all else fails and you really don't like the college you end up attending, you can always transfer later on. But just remember, you are truly blessed to be able to attend college at all, and you are so much more than that acceptance letter. You are intelligent and you have a perfect fit somewhere that will help you achieve goals you were not even aware of. If I had gone to my first choice college, I would have ended up transferring anyway, because it did not have a nursing school, something that, being at my college, helped me realize my passion for. My point here is that you never know what could be in store for you, and believe me when I say, a lot can change in a year. So, wear your school colors with pride and remember you're going to get the same degree no matter where you attend. You'll have the same passion, intelligence, and drive you have always had, just in a different location. And who knows, maybe your last resort will become your dream come true just as mine did.