November 9th — the day I got my email saying that I got accepted into Louisiana State. I woke up from a nap completely in a daze and was confused when I saw the end of the email saying that I got accepted, I thought it was fake. I ran into my sister's room and asked her to make sure this was real, and sure enough, that day changed my life completely.

I had no idea where I wanted to go my heart was set on LSU, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for the change. All of my family and friends were still back at home, I had the opportunity to stay close, but anytime I would think about going to another school, the thought of "what if" always entered my brain. Once more and more options started to appear, I had no idea how I was going to choose. Everywhere seemed to have the best program and academics. I couldn't pick a clear winner in my mind.

I remember the night that I had heard back from all the colleges and universities that I applied to. I sat in my bed feeling overwhelmed, that at that moment, I was going to have to make a final decision in the next couple of months. I figured it out. I decided I was going to go to Penn State. It seemed to be a perfect choice, not too far from home, friends, and family would be there with me, and the program was amazing. Not to mention that it was my Dad's alma mater. I wanted to see the campus one last time before I made my final decision. When I went, I could picture myself walking around and living in a state college for the next four years.

But, I didn't get that moment that everyone talks about…

Two weeks after that, I went to visit LSU's campus. When I drove up to the campus sign, I immediately got the chills. I had the chance to get a tour of my major and college; everything about it was what I was looking for. The skies were bright blue, and the weather was perfect. I was so happy being there, and I knew that was "my moment."

Since then I have been having more of these "moments." The moment when I knew I found my best friends, my TD gals. Through thick and thin these ladies have inspired me to be a better friend and have been with me through every college win and fail. That "moment" when you find your core group of friends from your classes and extracurriculars, and you can't stop laughing endlessly and being so grateful for every second that you get to spend with them. These "moments" compile and that is what your college experience is made out of. I am so grateful for all the lessons I have learned, the friends I have made, and the first experiences I have gotten to have since moving in August.

I promise you that if you listen to your heart, you'll know when it's the best decision that you could make. Cinderella always said, "a dream is a wish your heart makes", and until now, I realized that my heart was wishing to come here, but until I woke up from my dream, I didn't realize that this was truly the best place for me to be. I am so excited to come back next semester and to experience so much more.