There are several times when I think to myself, on my four-hour drive back to my hometown, "Why did I choose to go to college so far away?" Then, I think even harder about the opportunities I have had at my school.

It is no secret that moving more than two hours away from your family requires that you grow up. I have seen changes in myself -- good changes -- that would have never occurred if I was stuck in my room at home.

I am much more independent. I don't think about depending on someone else, now; I'd rather do it myself. Four hours has, surprisingly, given me a sense of comfort. Learning to take matters into my own hands has helped me get things done on time and shown me that I can do things I never thought I could.

Moving away is a constant flow of self-assurance. Every day, I realize I am one step closer to my dream career; one step closer to owning my own house; one step closer to becoming someone's mentor; one step closer to being a successful individual.

Four hours. That is all it took for me to understand how blessed I have been. When your parents are no longer there to run to the pharmacy for you when you feel like you are on your death bed, you really start to question why there is not an outstanding parent award each year. This stuff happens. You know it does. When you are just so tired  you don't even want to get off of the couch to grab a blanket you think, where are mom and dad when I need them?

This four hours that separates you from your best friends, teaches you to appreciate everything and everyone. Before you move away to school, you are certain you will keep your message about everyone you hate continuing every day. Then you see how tough it is to be on all borders of Georgia. Still, four hours cannot stop your flawless Verizon signal so, naturally, you FaceTime twice a month. A phone call that distracts you from everything you should be doing reminds you that some friends come and go, but those are here to stay. Appreciate. More.

I think I can vouch for all of us college students that we have learned to (somewhat) manage our money. A box of cereal is almost five dollars and that actually blows my mind. Suddenly, Kellogg brand isn't as important as it used to be when Mom bought the groceries. It took four hours of distance to teach me this.

Opportunity arrived at my doorstep the first day I moved into my dorm. Who would have thought I would network and connect and grow just by hanging out with people who lived on the same hall. I was not shocked when I noticed just about everyone was from four, or more, hours away but I was shocked about some of the reasons people chose to come here. It was fun discovering background stories, seeing pictures of siblings, and realizing we drive on the same Interstate for 128 miles on our trips home. I drive four hours to live life with these people I call friends, classmates, and sisters. What I have come to realize is that I would drive 24 hours to be with them.

Moving away for college is an experience like any other. You learn to accept who you are, or challenge who you have been. You learn to celebrate each day because there are people just like you who are not getting this opportunity. You learn to call your parents and tell them you love them because you realize you did not say it enough at home. You learn to keep in touch with everyone who got you to where you are today. 

Thank them. Thank whoever helped you or encouraged you to become a college student. Because people can steal our nice house, expensive car, or credit card number, but the one thing someone can never take away from you is your education and the experiences that came with it.

Enjoy today. Enjoy going to class at 8 a.m. I know, that's a lot to ask. Enjoy the changes happening in your life. There is a lot that can happen in four hours.