Since I was a little girl, I always had the urge to go out on my own and adjust to a whole new scene and build a life for myself somewhere completely new.

For some reason, I was never scared to go somewhere where I knew absolutely no one. To then only make new friends, memories and homes.

A very close family friend once told me that going to school somewhere absolutely brand new would be my first and smartest opportunity to gain not only freedom but endless amounts of knowledge and priceless life experiences.

She always said "You can always go, and easily come back. It's still school, not real life just yet. You're allowed to change your mind." That's why making the choice to leave came so naturally; I knew it would not be a forever decision. I could always call it quits and transfer back home to my comfort zone. Little did I know that I would cherish every moment in my new address.

In some ways, I genuinely needed the fresh start. I hadn't fully decided what I wanted to do with my career and felt sort of lost. However, I did know that in order to cliche-ly "find myself," I would need a clean slate and total focus on me.

I first visited the University of South Carolina on a random school field trip during my junior year of high school. At first, I thought nothing of it, just another chance to compete in a random place and then go home.

However, I fell in love: the atmosphere, the people, the school, everything. I was enchanted by the idea of one day calling the city of Columbia home.

So I went back.

The next year, I spoke to more students and explored every crevice of the university, falling in love all over again. The next year, when I received my acceptance letter, doubt crept over me. I didn't know if I was ready to leave or ready to start all over again.

South Carolina is now home.

I left an entire routine in Miami, Florida, and created a new one in Columbia, South Carolina. I packed up my room, stuffed my dad's car and drove 13 hours into the unknown. I didn't know if I would even like my new room, classes, professors, fellow students, or even the weather. Nothing was predictable, and that was somehow okay with me.

The culture shock was the first thing to get to me.

I was immediately told that my accent was precious, yet didn't know what they were talking about. It was just how I talked. I noticed the different mannerisms, fashion trends, social trends and even day to day habits. Everything was different yet easy to catch onto.

I learned how to adjust to my new surroundings and form a new routine in my new setting. I met professors that have changed my perspective on life itself and even had me reconsidering my future. What if I would have never met them? I've even had peers that helped me understand topics in new and refreshing ways. These are experiences I wouldn't trade for the world.

These are times I am reassured that the school I chose was the right one.

At the end of the day, it was worth it. I've made forever friends, memories and endless stories I can't wait to share with my grandchildren. I have learned life lessons that I wouldn't have been able to go through sheltered at home.

I've struggled, learned and strived while away from home. Now, I even have a stronger relationship with those I left at home. Being so far away for most of the year makes time at home that much more precious. It makes moments with those I love that more enjoyable and special.

Now, it's like living in two worlds that oddly blur into one. I have friends in one state that have been through it all day by day with me and then friends I've known since we were in diapers, yet they both feel like the best friends a girl could have.

If you're on the fence about making that final push and just going somewhere completely new, my advice is to do it.

Take a chance on yourself and let yourself experience something you may never get the opportunity to do again. Taste independence and mature in ways you may have never thought you would. There are so many opportunities that open up for you in a new environment. There is more time dedicated to you and your own particular needs. Don't let doubt cloud your ability to see what's best for you.

Moving to a new state for school was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I have grown into a person some don't even recognize and others adore. I have made forever friends, unforgettable memories and a lifetime of knowledge not only from books but from life lessons. I fell in love with a city and everything it encompasses.

I'm glad I took a step in a new direction, and you will be too.