With the recent announcement of my cousin committing to the University of Arizona for the fall of this year, much joy and excitement has rippled throughout my family. Varied thoughts of what dorm she is thinking of living in to whether or not she would like to be in a sorority have surfaced as well. Although I was very excited for her, I, at the same time was smacked in the face with a sense of nostalgia that has grown stronger over these past few days to the point where it made me ponder as to why I myself came here in the first place as well as what convinced me.

About three years ago today, I had officially committed to going to the University of Arizona. I was excited, just as my cousin is, but oh so nervous and slightly afraid. I was leaving the familiar home of Ohio to a much different and warmer place here in Tucson. I wasn't always 100 percent decided on going here. In fact, I was thinking of going somewhere in Ohio. Although I am so very happy, proud and thankful for making the correct choice of actually going here, it wouldn't have been fully possible without my "moment". This moment that I am talking about was the ultimate tipping point in making my decision and I believe every single new student who is looking at all of their choices has or will have this happen to them.

This moment that I am speaking about is this spontaneous and downright miraculous mindset that falls upon you for just a split second. This moment makes you fully realize that you could not only see yourself spending the next four years here but ultimately thriving and growing into the person that you want to become. This moment isn't planned and no one knows when it happens, but it does happen, you will know.

My moment occurred right at Main Gate Square. After a tour of the campus with my mother, we ventured down to the popular street that we students know and love. The sun was just setting into the sky after a beautiful day and I was enjoying my visit, but I didn't seem completely satisfied, nor assured that I would be going here. I sat down on one of the benches by myself at the plaza where Starbucks and Sinbad's was located. The fountain was running as always and as the last warm light of the day was hitting my face, time seemed to stop for a moment. Call me crazy but the moment had hit. I took all of the things I had seen and heard from that day and my mind must have somehow, compiled it all together into an instantaneous realization that hit me like a punch to the gut.

This is where I am going, I thought.

This is where I can see myself waking up every day to not only face my challenges but to create the future that mirrors the dreams that I have always had. This moment will stay with me till the day I die and I hope that others can say the same when it happens to them as well.

This moment is one of the smallest moments in our lives but arguably one of the biggest. Many of us have already had our moment while some of us are still waiting but regardless of that, it is safe to say that when it does happen, it will be extraordinary and change your life more than you know it.