My senior year of high school I had my life all “figured out.” When it came time to apply to colleges, I knew exactly what I wanted to study and what college I wanted to attend… Or so I thought.

I applied to only one college: early-decision to my “dream” school. I spent weeks preparing my personal essay and crossed my fingers for an exciting email in December. The night admission decisions were released, my best friend and I sat anxiously at my laptop refreshing my application page until the little “View Admission Decision” button popped up at midnight.

I was so excited when I read the words “Congratulations, you’ve been accepted!”

Fast-forward to freshman year move-in day. Packing the car was real-life Tetris, and the drive to campus felt like an eternity. I was rooming with my high school best friend, and was excited to get my first taste of freedom, make lifelong friends, and enjoy the “college experience.” We unloaded box after box, and slowly, our dorm room came to life.

First semester had its ups and downs. I missed home and began to realize my “plan” wasn’t working. After a couple bumps throughout the semester and adjusting to a new lifestyle, winter break came around and I had survived-- Spring semester would be a fresh start.

As Spring semester went on, I began to feel more like an outsider. I wasn’t happy with my major, and most of the time I found myself longing for home. I was confused and discouraged - I thought I had this perfect plan, but I wasn’t happy at my dream school.

I felt as if transferring schools was frowned upon, and worried about what people would think. I was unhappy, and deep down, I knew something had to be done. My future felt uncertain as I took a leap of faith and submitted a transfer application to a college I had sworn I would never attend.

It was the complete opposite of everything I thought I wanted in a college. It was “too big,” “in the city,” and “just not for me.” Unsure whether or not I would get in, I didn’t bother telling my parents. About three weeks after submitting my application, an email arrived with “Welcome to The Ohio State University!” in the subject line.

Arriving on campus for move-in day, I felt uneasy about having a second "freshman year." I wondered if I’d be just a number, and I worried I’d be lost on such a big campus. It’s now December, and I am so close to finishing my first semester at The Ohio State University.

Transferring colleges was the best decision I could have made. I have fallen in love with my school, its traditions, and its spirit. Transferring brought me some of my closest friends, and to where I belong... where I finally feel at “home.” But what I love most about my decision to transfer is how “just not for me” turned out to be “just perfect for me.”