When you're searching for a college, let me give you some advice. You have to find that place that makes you happy and makes you barely think of home because you're having so much fun (but studying and school work is also included in that of course).

For me, that place is Ball State. When I took my first college visit there, I had never even heard of the university before. I didn't even know that Muncie was a place in Indiana. I had gone on two college visits before Ball State and I had already pretty much decided that I was going to attend IU.

I mean I knew I was still only a Junior, but I also really knew where I wanted to go, but I still decided to give Ball State a chance. However, as soon as I stepped foot on campus, I had this feeling that I couldn't really explain, but I knew what it was as soon as the tour ended. It was the feeling of knowing that you really belonged somewhere. Ball State just gave off that homey vibe to me and like I was in a place where I could really be myself.

That one day was all I needed. I waited until applications opened and I applied right away. I got my acceptance letter about two weeks later. I knew with how fast the reply was and the feeling I got when being on campus that I made the right choice and it made me even more excited for next fall.

So, what was the point of my whole back story to my acceptance/ discovery of BSU? Well, it's just part of the reason why I love it so much.

Ball State is not just a college to me, it's a home. When I come home for the holidays or for breaks, all I can think about is going back again. In all honesty, if you don't feel that about your school, then you're going to the wrong college.

I love Ball State because of all the friends I've made. I met a group of people who I didn't bond with right away, but became best friends with by the end of the first semester. I have never met a group of people who were so like me and just accepted me right away into their mold of life. It was because of Ball State that I ended up having a roommate who ended up being my best friend. While I'm away for the summer, I can't help but think of all my friends and pine for them terribly. I was never good at making friends, but at BSU it was just so easy.

I met the love of my life at Ball State. I'm not kidding when I say go in single to college. Really, I'm serious, it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Now, if you're head-over-heels for your S/O then by all means stay, but if you don't think you're going to be all in, then leave. Something about college, especially BSU, is that you will meet a LOT of people. For me, I always met a lot of guys and talked with them, but none of it felt right to me. It wasn't until I stumbled into a guy at a party that I realized I think I met the love of my life. Not only was he cute, but he bought me pizza.

Speaking of pizza.

THERE ARE SO MANY PAPA JOHNS IN MUNCIE. There are actually a LOT of pizza options, but there's a ton of Papa Johns. (Papa Bless if you will). Fun Fact: Papa John actually attended BSU and I like to think that's why we have one on campus (which you can use your meal swipe with by the way).

There is a variety of food options. I'm a person who likes variety and likes to eat healthy, so when I learned that Ball State has a ton of buffets AND a break fast buffet EVERY Thursday, I knew I chose the right school. If you aren't convinced yet, there's also a Starbucks!

Fall. Fall. Fall. Ball state looks beautiful all year round, even when it storms, but the fall time is where it's at. If you take a college visit, try to go in the fall. The scenery is just to die for and I don't think I've ever seen something so beautiful. Nice fall days on campus make for GREAT study time (and also cute pictures).

It's not big, but not small. Ball State is the PERFECT size. It never takes me more than 15 minutes to walk to a class, or even across campus. It's not super small to where everything is so close together, but it's also not super big to where it takes forever to get anywhere.

There is so much to do. If you're ever bored, there is always something you can find to do. You can go study at the library. You can go play games in one of the computer labs. You can sit in a hammock and read on the University Green. You can attend some kind of performance that is going on in Emens or Sursa. You can even explore the website to find a club you want to join and go to a meeting almost anytime you wish.

There are many other reasons why I love Ball State, but if I took the time to write them all down, we would be here all day. I'm just so glad I get to call Ball State University my college, but more importantly, my second home. If you go there, or want to go there, or are even thinking of where you SHOULD go, pick Ball State, because if you're looking for some of the things I mentioned about, then I bet you'll love it too.

#ChirpChirp