It's my favorite question to be asked in college: "So what high school did you graduate from?" Of course when I respond with "Oh, I was actually homeschooled," the jaws usually drop right to the ground. Most people follow up with a slew of questions about what it was like; did I feel lonely, and will I be homeschooling my kids someday? It's as if people have never heard of it and expect me to have turned out like some Amish child who spent her daily life milking cows and sewing clothes.

Okay, I did have a cow (Marco, may he rest in peace), and my mom did force me to sew clothing that I am ashamed to even look at to this day, but homeschooling for me was so different from what the rest of the world stereotypes it to be. Yes, I still had to wake up early and start school by a certain time, but it didn't matter if I was in my pajamas or not. And yes, I was the only one in my "grade," but it meant I could work at my own pace.

No, I didn't get to ride a big yellow bus, but what need was there when my desk was literally right down the stairs from my bedroom?

I still had prom and sure there was a dress code that might have been just a tad bit over the top, but I still danced my heart to "clean music" and had cute pictures taken with my date. Most days I finished school well before 3 p.m. which left the whole rest of my day completely open, homework free. Yeah, that was one of the best parts about homeschooling: NO homework!

On hot sunny days in May while everyone else was stuck inside the public schools, I was at the beach enjoying spring because I always finished school early each year. I had the same teacher (hell yes, my mom) for 12 years, and although there were days when I secretly wished there was the option to fire her, I could not be more thankful for her incredible patience and dedication to make certain that I was staying on track and meeting each educational goal necessary to my future.

As for that supposed "lack of socialization" that everyone assumes accompanies homeschooling, I can also thank my parents for making sure that never happened. Whether it be chemistry class at a friend's house or Friday history co-op, my parents worked tirelessly to make sure that we were gaining an adequate education while still making friends and interacting with the world. We joined clubs, attended summer camps, and watched PG-13 movies. Mom and Dad raised us to be moral and respectful people in this crazy world, but they also knew that sheltering us would only cause trouble in the future, especially when we reached college age. And I'm SO glad they did because I felt like college was such an easy and smooth transition.

My highschool diploma reads: "Dufrin Homeschool Academy," and I'm just as proud of it as anyone else. My "2013" tassel sits neatly to the side of it, because yes, just like everyone else, I had a graduation ceremony with my friends right by my side. Homeschooling most certainly has its pros and cons, and while I'm pretty positive I will never have the patience to someday teach my own kids at home (seriously, Mom, I don't know how you did it), I'm thankful for the 12 years of studying geography while tanning on the front porch, taking random days off to go do fun things, and receiving an education that I truly believe will benefit me for the rest of my life.