At the end of my Freshman year of High School, I was already completely over the drama, harsh rules and coaches that were assigned to teach Calculus. What's the point of staying any longer than necessary?

My parents were totally supportive.

They always saw me as independent and driven and knew that I could accomplish anything I really wanted. However, growing up in a small town, you better believe that there was some gossip.

Some of the more popular responses were, "Yeah, I could have graduated early, I just didn't want to." Another popular one was, "So I guess you think you're better than the rest of us." One that I was shocked I didn't hear more of was, "Why would you do that? These are the best years of your life!"

To answer some of these questions, you didn't graduate early, I did, it is great that you chose not to, but when someone tells you they're pregnant or they're starting a blog you don't say, "yeah, I could have done that."

Because it is not EVER an appropriate response. I obviously don't think I am better than anybody and if high school was "the best years of your life", that's called peaking in high school and it is considered sad.

Am I glad I graduated early? Obviously, I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't graduated early, but I definitely don't regret it. At the time, I couldn't have imagined staying another year.

To anyone out there reading this who wants to graduate early, go for it! It is easy to get caught up doing what everyone else is doing, but believe me, you'll never regret taking the road less traveled.