Everyone around you is excited to be attending their "dream" school. They have bought the t-shirts, decorated their caps, started the roommate search, and everything in between. And you feel completely stuck. You feel like your whole life is flying by, but you aren’t moving. All of your friends cannot stop talking about their new roommates and the bedspread they just bought and you can't even think about August. College is supposed to be one of the best chapters of your life and you just can’t bear to turn the next page.

That is perfectly okay.

Around this time last year, I was in your shoes questioning my choice in college, however, at some point, you just have to trust your gut, your Momma, and God. On the ride to move into my Freshman dorm, I was searching other colleges I could transfer to, however, my parents told me I had to stay the first semester before deciding anything. My first semester was hell for reasons completely out of my control. The thought of staying until May made me sick to my stomach. While my grades were stellar, I had made friends, and I enjoyed all of my classes, I was completely miserable. Now what you are probably thinking is you are not being very helpful.

Here comes the motivational advice.

I survived and I found my “home away from home.”

Things started to take a turn for the best second semester. I realized that I needed to branch out and go beyond my comfort zone. I challenged myself to meet new people, say Yes to lunch when people asked, and to give my school an honest chance. I thought to myself Can you imagine going anywhere else and being just as happy? The answer was no.

College is a major wake-up call and it can hit you like that dreaded alarm at 4 in the morning, but at some point, you have to stop hitting Snooze and just get up.

You can’t let these next four years of your life fly by, while you are busy having a pity party. So you didn’t get into your number 1 school - that is okay! You were not meant to go there at this point in your life, but maybe you are in the future. You have no way of knowing. Only God knows and I think He has quite the sense of humor when it comes to things like this. At one point last semester, I found myself just bursting out in laughter at the thought of me being devastated a year ago about a college letter. Now I’m thriving (and barely surviving) in college completely happy with where I am. Okay, God, you got jokes.

One of the worst things you can do that first semester is to compare yourself to others. The people you went to high school with are going to post pictures looking like they are having the time of their lives with all their best friends, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t going through the same struggles you are. No one walks straight into college looking like a Pinterest board - everyone is DIY gone wrong. Take comfort in knowing that everyone is going through the same transition whether they love their school or not.

You have to give your school a chance - join clubs, meet new people, and explore college life. If you believe you have done all of that and you are still unhappy, then transfer! I considered this option and realized it wasn’t right for me, but it might be right for you! Transferring is an amazing option and tons of people do it. If anything it is more impressive, because the school you are transferring to is not just looking at your high school grades, but also your first year in college.

I’m heading into my next year of college in a few months and I’m nervous. That nervousness will never go away. You will always be nervous about starting a new year, new classes, meeting new people, and the unknown. Know that it is a journey, not a quick walk. God has got your back and will not let you fall - he might let you come pretty close, but you will come back even stronger. You will end up where you are supposed to and when you do take the time to laugh - I know I did.