When I was in high school, I always knew I wanted to go to college. I had wanted to be a teacher up until about 10th grade, but even when I was unsure of my destination, I knew college was part of my journey. I went through many a dream school, from App State to UT Knoxville, I had big dreams.

I applied to 5 schools; North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Converse College, Meredith College, and alas, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. I got accepted every place I applied, which did come as a shock (especially since I never technically finished my Meredith application). I had my heart set on NCSU, with plans to be a textile science major. I had convinced myself that State was the only school with a good enough program to do what I wanted to do after college, which changed on a regular basis.

So obviously I didn't know what I was talking about, and really only even looked at the school because of a boyfriend I had during my junior year of high school. Subsequently, Meredith College was my back up plan in order to be in Raleigh near said, boyfriend. I had been to NCSU, to help him move in for his freshman year, and even then it never felt right. It was too big, too red, too old... Something was off and I knew that but still told myself that's where I wanted to go.

Converse College was knocked out of the running because I decided not to go into interior design, which was the program I'd been looking into there. UT Knoxville got knocked out because of money, out of state tuition is a nightmare. That left UNCG. I had applied for UNCG because a friend told me about their CARS (Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies) program. This program was much broader than the textile science program at NCSU and far more on the business side of things, which I was rather fond of at the time. My major has since changed but that's another story.

I was sitting in first period one morning, right before the bell was about to ring to commence class for the day. I was scrolling on my phone checking Facebook when I received an email. This email, of course, was from UNCG. My backup plan. The school I had applied to because, yes, they had the program I wanted, but I was still set on NCSU. I got my acceptance letter(email). A spark ignited in my soul. I instantly jumped out of my seat and ran into the hallway (there was no signal in the classroom). My teacher, of course, questioned my actions, but with the widest grin and tears in my eyes, I said, "I got into UNCG! I have to call my mom!!!!!"

Something felt right. Something in me just knew. So, a few weeks later I was scheduled to attend Destination UNCG, which is a day planned for prospective and accepted students. This was my first time ever even being to Greensboro. I had researched everything I could about the school, already picked out my dorm, and planned on meeting with a possible roommate. Walking around campus, my heart was so full. Everything felt right; like I was where I was meant to be.

I'm a junior now, studying communications (of which we have one of the best programs in the state), working in the Campus Activities and Programs office as a marketing assistant, and thriving. I hope this story can remind you all, that everything does happen for a reason, and one day you'll know that reason; all you have to do is wait!