I grew up in one of those "one stop light" kind of town. You knew everyone and everyone knew your business and the best things to do were 30 minutes away. Some nights you'd find yourself hanging out at Walmart just to get out of the house. "New beginnings" was a phrase I never really paid much attention to until I stepped foot into my freshmen dorm for the first time. Instantly my life was changed forever and there was no turning back from that feeling. No matter how terrified I was, I knew it was something I had to go through with. And in that moment I learned my first lesson: when things feel right, don't let fear cloud your judgement.

Days went by and I felt myself becoming more comfortable in a room with a total stranger. Weeks passed and I caught myself calling it "home". I began to fall in love with this new place and the fact I could be anyone I wanted to be. In high school I was always too scared to fully express myself or allow myself to bloom into who I was supposed to be. When the idea of going away for college came across my mind, I was curious to find out if I could go somewhere else and truly find myself. Going away to college has helped me realize that nothing is carved in stone, and forcing yourself out of your comfort zone could undoubtedly be the best decision you have made in your entire life. Taking myself away from what I thought was my safety blanket showed me that the key to my happiness was in my pocket all along. Going away to college taught me to not let fear paralyze me. It taught me to ignore that little voice in my head telling me I can't. It doesn't control you. You control you. Tomorrow isn't promised so do the thing that scares you the most, never doubt your strength, and love freely. Going away from home showed me I was 10 times more responsible than I thought I was and opened my eyes to new possibilities.

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose".

- Dolly Parton