Senior year of high school is filled with so many decisions; probably the most important one is college. After receiving all my letters from the colleges I applied to, financial aid award letters, finally making a decision on what I thought I wanted to major in, and most importantly talking to a teacher who gave me the best insight he possibly could. I made my ultimate decision and ended up going 2 and half hours away from home to Keuka College.

That whole summer I was excited to leave home and try something new, but man was I scared and I truly didn't want to go. I was nervous to be in a new environment with people I had never met before. While doing things on my own, living on my own with someone I've never met before, and being the boss of myself and making sure I got my work done with no one looking over my shoulder. But after living there for 2 semesters I am so grateful of my decision because this is where I belong.

My decision to leave Buffalo and to get my education in the tiny town of Penn Yan was the best choice I've ever made. I learned so much, and a lot of that learning came from outside of the classroom. Things I would of never learned if I was still living at home. Dorming not only teaches you about how to be responsible and to take care of your items but also about people.

At a school like mine there isn't much to do in the surrounding town so you have to make your own fun. Because of this I've met so many great people that I know I will be friends forever with. The worst part about college is that people can be from anywhere and after graduation you may never see them again because of distance and thats the hardest thing to grasp. But besides that I know the friends you make in college are the real deal and no matter the distance they will always be a phone call away.

College is a very educational experience in more ways than one. But moving away from home and dorming is an even bigger lesson than anything. Although I just finished my first year, I have yet to learn most of the things that college will teach me, freshman year was just the start and now these next three years will give me everything I need to be successful.

So to anyone that is contemplating going away or staying home, my advice to you is dorm and go away. You will go through things that you've never done before and may never have the opportunity to do again in your life. Yes, you may be scared and second guess yourself everyday but if you picked the right school and really like the friends you make you'll never regret your decision.

Sorry Mom and Dad, I miss you guys but I definitely don't regret my decision.