In 2013, when I first made the decision to go to college, the next decision was where. Luckily I had a close friend in high school saying they were making the decision to attend Stephen F. Austin State University. I had no clue where it was, but thank heavens for Google. Pulling up the Stephen F. Austin website, I saw that they were having an upcoming "Showcase Saturday," or an open house if you will. Let’s just say I came, I saw, I conquered, and I’m still here, and happier than ever with the right decision I made.

Stephen F. Austin (SFA) is located in the quaint, but populated, town of Nacogdoches, Texas. SFA is one of main centerpieces of the town of Nacogdoches, and it’s been such a blessing to myself and the many other students that attend. But, being in Nacogdoches, people from the outside may see it as a town where there isn’t much to do, or as a place where there aren’t opportunities to branch out and meet people since the town is so small. Living in and going to college in a small town can be quite amazing. I love being able to try out the hometown restaurants that have so much history, as well as amazing food, and since they understand that we’re college students, the deals are always great. I love being able to go eat or go to the local bowling alley, dancing at Banita and see many of my closest friends there, some that I’ve met just by seeing them around town, which is pretty awesome.

Remembering all the conversations I’ve had with friends from home, asking me about where my school was, was it in Austin, and what there was to do here was always hard to explain. It’s one of those you have to be here to experience it, moments. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for beautiful Nacogdoches, and if anyone else is attending a great university in a beautiful small town, you should feel the same way.

Don’t let anyone make you feel like your small town isn’t worth anything because you, unfortunately, don’t go to school in Pennsylvania or New York, but take pride in your small town. You have things there that hold tradition, history, and so much more, and once you take all that in and realize that, you’ll have an amazing time.