During high school, I envied people in the grades above me. I was so jealous that the seniors would soon be graduating and moving on to lives of their own. I was that girl who always hung out with an older crowd and never attended high school events my senior year. I wanted nothing more than to move out of my small hometown and get on with my life. Therefore, I did everything in my power to make that happen and get out of that little town ASAP.

I had no idea about all the hard work that went in to getting into college, yet I somehow managed to do it a year early. People thought I was crazy for going to college a year early, saying things like “You aren’t going to fit in because you’ll be the youngest one there” and “You’ll regret graduating early,” but I didn’t listen to them, or anyone for that matter. The only thing I was focused on was moving on with my life and am I sure glad that I did.

Well, a semester into my college career and I have yet to have a single regret. Yes, I may have missed out on events such as senior prom and homecoming, but what will that matter in ten years? I have learned more about myself and met some incredible people in my first semester of college. I have started seeing the bigger picture as to why I am getting an education and the reward that will come from it. None of this would have been possible if I was still in high school today.

So, if you have always been that person who seemed to grow up too fast, don’t regret a thing. Growing up a little bit faster than the people I went to high school with has been nothing but a blessing for me. I have a head start on my career, I have met some of the best people and, for goodness sake, I am finally out of that small little town!