My first year of college I attended Rogers State University in Claremore, OK. It was a good start for me, to understand how college classes work and just the overall college environment that every student has to adapt to. I don't regret coming to this college for my first year, this school is just no longer a fit for me. It's time for a change. This first year of college has flown by in the blink of an eye. I remember moving into the dorms like it was yesterday but it was actually 8 months ago. I know that I want to be an English major because I love reading and writing but I always have an open mind to any other options.

The second semester of being at Rogers State I decided to apply to the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. Claremore is about 30 minutes from my home while Norman is about 2 hours away, but I think I can handle the distance. Transferring schools would be a huge step for me socially and academically. I would have to move out of my comfort zone once again but this doesn't scare me. I waited a full month for a response back and I was accepted! I had somewhat doubted myself during my high school years thinking that I wasn't good enough or smart enough to attend a big school but that thought quickly changed for me when I felt like I wasn't being challenged the way I wanted to academically. I felt like my professors weren't teaching at their best and that they were just giving out busy work for students. I wanted more. Then I found out that Rogers State doesn't have the English program that I thought they had. I researched OU's English courses and I fell in love with how much depth the classes seem to have. Those were the classes I dreamed of all along.

Over my spring break, I went on an OU campus tour and I fell in love with the campus. I remember the tour guide saying, "If you can imagine yourself being here, you belong here." I don't know if the tour guide says that to every group but that really stuck with me. I actually could imagine myself living there. Riding a bike or walking across campus, attending classes, studying in the library and buying Starbucks for motivation. The campus is absolutely beautiful!

I've only told a handful of people that I will be transferring next year. I've told my family and a few of my close friends. Some of my friends are trying to convince me not to leave. When someone says the word college, they immediately think of debt. I've thought about this a lot and college is an investment. No matter what path a young adult takes, debt will come no matter what. Whether that's going to college, or even a few years down the road when that young adult buys a house or a car. Debt happens but I don't want money to be the reason why I don't do what I want to do. I'm not dropping out of college I just want to move up one step. I care about my education because it's the only thing I know how to deal with.

Even though I already have next year planned out, I am still enjoying every last minute that I have here at Rogers State. I think the hardest thing that I'll have to do is say goodbye to my wonderful friends that I have met here. I have so many memories here that it will be bittersweet to leave but I cannot wait to see what the University of Oklahoma has in store for me!

Boomer Sooner!