Thinking back to senior year of high school, I can vividly recall the insane amount of attention and pressure that most of my classmates and I were feeling regarding college. Before graduation, and before any of us made our final decisions, there was that stressful time of applying to a ton of schools, going through countless interviews and campus tours, and, of course, awaiting the arrival a thick envelope bearing congratulatory words for each school that we were longing for. Once we got those acceptances (and, for some of us, those dreaded rejection letters), it was all up to us. Where were we finally going to end up?

I remember how everyone earnestly wanted to know where everyone else was headed, so that we could make our own decisions partially based upon who else we'd be spending the next four years with. Of course, at the time, it only seemed perfect to want to go to the same school as some of my best friends. It also appeared logical and convenient to stay close to home, so that I could come and go as I pleased. One by one, it seemed to me that lots of people were deciding to go to the typical big state schools or smaller colleges nearby that most people from my high school usually apply to every year. Personally, I was strongly considering going to a college only about 45 minutes from where I live and where about a dozen other people from my graduating class were going. It seemed safe and comfortable to me. I'd be close to home and I'd know plenty of other people there from the beginning. Being an introvert, and slightly shy upon first meeting people, that seemed like the perfect option for me. I could start somewhere new, yet have the safety net of familiarity.

But, there was another strong contender on my mind. It was one that would cause me to move to a place seven hours away from home, with an entirely new crowd of people. No one else from my graduating class had even applied there and most people from my school hadn't even heard of this small liberal arts college in Vermont. While I was considering my options, I thought back to why I originally applied to Saint Michael's College and why I liked it so much. The beautiful and exciting location certainly beats the surrounding areas of any of the other schools I applied to, the academics and professors are incredible, the community service and study abroad options are endless, the people are extremely friendly and welcoming, and, overall, I got a good vibe from being on campus when I visited and could easily picture myself ending up at the school. I could go on and on about how much I love St. Mike's, but that would take up a whole other article.

In the end, I chose to attend Saint Michael's College for all of the right reasons. Sure, it was hard at first to move so far away from home and I had to start over in an entirely new place without any familiar faces, but I never regretted my decision for a second. Beginning this new chapter of my life without anyone from my high school has allowed me to start fresh and pave my own path. I don't have to share this experience with anyone from home and I feel proud that I chose to go somewhere that many people questioned me about, simply because they didn't know much about the school. My advice: Don't let anyone make you feel like your choice is wrong or inferior just because no one else is doing it.

In addition, going to a college where I didn't originally know anyone has really allowed me to step outside my comfort zone by encouraging me to overcome my shyness, become more outgoing, and make new friends. Without the comfort or assistance of my friends from home by my side, I get to decide on my own which people I hang out with and who I ultimately become friends with. Also, starting college without anyone else from my high school has given me the opportunity to figure out "who I really am," as cliche as that sounds, and to pursue things that I have newly discovered that I am passionate about. This fresh start has allowed me to really break free from any mold that I may have conformed to in high school or any familiar, ordinary path that I possibly would've embarked on, had I chosen a college that felt "safe" to me.

I am so happy that I decided to follow a path that I never imagined I would take, which has led me to so many amazing opportunities and new friendships. Although it can sometimes be hard to be so far from home and without my friends from high school by my side, I truly believe that I am in the right place. I have the utmost respect for anyone who goes to college close to home or with peers from high school -- everyone's experience is different. However, I am so glad that I made the decision to start over new on a slightly different route, because my experience has been extremely positive. I love my school and I cannot imagine being anywhere else. Sometimes, choosing "the road less traveled" can be the greatest step in the right direction.