When I was in eighth grade, my best friend converted me to a die-hard Alabama fan. We made plans to go there together once we had graduated high school. After that day, it was Alabama or die.
Five years later, I was given tickets to the Alabama versus LSU game. I scheduled a campus tour for the same weekend and I fell in love. The campus was beautiful and I loved the downtown area. I loved seeing all the tailgates on the quad and all the Greek houses. I knew in an instant that I needed to go there. The atmosphere at the game was incredible and everything felt so right when I was there.
I applied the day I got home from Tuscaloosa and was so anxious to hear back. Two weeks after I applied, I got my acceptance letter. That was the best day I had ever had at the time. I got into my dream school and everything was amazing. With getting accepted to an out-of-state school comes the outrageous tuition. That was the one thing keeping me from going to Alabama. I knew that was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life, but I felt sick every time I thought about how much money it would cost.
I waited to hear back from my other options before deciding on where I would go. My top two choices were Alabama and Kennesaw and I felt confident with my them. When I made my decision, I thought that I would get the same feelings and experience at Kennesaw as I did at Alabama. Two years later and its been one of the biggest regrets I have.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Kennesaw but it’s not the same. In Tuscaloosa, it’s not that close to a major city. Kennesaw’s campus is right off the interstate. I’ve been comparing the two for as long as I can remember. I have been beating myself up over my decision since I started college.
Kennesaw has given me so many amazing things. I’ve gained so many amazing friends and it gave me my sorority. I have so many incredible memories here and I wouldn’t change any of it. I’ve always thought about how my different my life would be if I had gone to Alabama. I’ve learned to just let it go and move on with my life.
I’ve learned that it’s OK that I didn’t choose my first choice school. It’s OK because my life would be completely different if I had gone there. It’s OK because I wouldn’t have the friends that I do. It’s OK because I wouldn’t have my sisters to be there when I need them. It’s OK because I’ve learned to love my second choice.
If you’re going through the same thing or you’re debating between your first and second choice, whatever decision you make will work out in the end. I beat myself up for a year and a half because I didn’t go to Alabama, but I love Kennesaw and all that it has given me.
