Coming from Chicago, Illinois I had endless options of schools at my disposal. I found myself visiting each of the colleges, but never falling in love with the idea of not leaving the state. I was born in Virginia and lived there for about 8 years, so I knew single handedly how different the dynamic of each state is. I started visiting SEC schools because I knew from watching on TV that their fan base and love for their school was something I wanted to be a part of. I went to University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, and the fabulous University of Kentucky. I loved all of the schools but nothing compared to UK. I felt so welcome and everything fell into place, and here I am two years later at the best school in the SEC.

Being six hours away from home and not knowing anyone but the six other people from my high school was scary. Everything was so new and exciting that I failed to realize my parents weren't staying with me and had to leave once my room was moved in. I said my goodbyes and sat in my new room wondering what was next. I soon was thrown into K-Week events, and sorority recruitment, so I was distracted from the fact that I was now living alone with no lifeline other than my roommate.

Eight months into my college journey, and being the happiest I've ever been, I now recognize that leaving Chicago and coming to UK was the best decision I've ever made. I realized that if I went to school in Illinois, I wouldn't have noticed everything my parents did for me because I would be going home every weekend. I never would've learned how to wash the piles of dirty laundry in the corner of my room, or budget for groceries or meals because my mom could cook for me. These don't seem like the most important tasks to learn, but it was something that I took for granted. I now value the fact that I get to go home. Being able to take a trip home and having my mom take care of me for just a weekend means so much more than it meant when I lived there for the first 18 years of my life.

Since I was one of only seven people from my high school to come to UK, I was forced to branch out and meet new people. I grew up and went to the same school, with the same group of people for ten years. Going to the same in-state school as my friends would've given me a way out of making new friendships with people that I've never met before. This isn't a plug to join Greek life, but going through sorority recruitment lead me to meeting my best friend. We were in the same group that walked from house to house together and during a group dinner at Local Taco, we learned that we were next door neighbors. Although we ended up in the same sorority, I found myself knocking on her door to hangout, and doing activities that I was used to doing alone, with her. Since then my friend group has expanded, but none of the people I went to high school with are in that group. I was able to pick my own friends instead of the ones that my mom scheduled play dates for in the third grade.

I came into UK with such an open mind, and if I could go back and change anything, I wouldn't. Meeting life long friends, and gaining independence was something that I never would've done if I went to an in-state school. I have so many friends that did stay in Illinois and love it, but I wanted something more than Chicago schools could offer me. I am so grateful that I was even able to attend a school so far away, and if I could recommend anything, it would be to try to branch out and step out of your comfort zone because nothing bad can come out of it. You will learn so much about who you truly are, and you won't regret it.