I was never really scared to go to college. I always looked forward to getting away and having a fresh new start. Moving away from the town I thought was so toxic just seemed like a great idea. I had a countdown on my phone for move in day; I packed everything up and off I went four hours away. I didn't realize how much I was leaving behind.

College is a time for self-discovery and learning to be on your own without the help or with a little help from your parents. College makes you mature and grow into the person you are going to be for the rest of your life. You make new friends, some that you would have never thought would be in your life. You make your own "adult choices" without the help of mom and dad.

College teaches you to appreciate your parents, siblings, and friends back home more than ever. Those phone calls from your mom every day of your senior year that you were annoyed by are now one of the things you cherish the most. The little things that your siblings did to annoy you in high school aren't that big of a deal anymore. Random messages or calls from friends back home make your day so much better.

College changes you in many ways, but only for the better.