College is a big step in every young adult's life: for most of us, it is the first time being away from home. I know I'm not just speaking for myself when I say that I was so ready to live on my own. There was nothing wrong with being home and I was nervous to be completely responsible for myself, but for the most part, I was welcoming this change with open arms. I had spent months and months collecting different items to spruce up my dorm and make it feel as homey as I could, but it didn't take long to realize that living on my own made me much more appreciative of so many things.

First and foremost, I have learned to appreciate my home and my family so much. I didn't take them for granted before, but I definitely realized I needed to give them much more credit. They have been my backbone my whole life, cheering me on in anything that I did, and being there for me when times were tough. There is an indescribable feeling you get from being home, and I've realized how therapeutic simply being in your own house can be, even when you are the most stressed out you have ever been. Home is where the heart is, and there are few things that can surpass the joy felt when you're surrounded by your family.

I also learned to slow down a little whenever doing things that are important to me, such as spending time with my family and friends. So often I would miss being able to spend even an hour or two with them when I was particularly worried. Being around them brings out the best version of me, and although I do have amazing friends at school as well, I missed the memories. Making friends at school and coming into college with my best friend brought a little bit of home to school with me, which helped to make the transition so much smoother.

It was very easy to get annoyed with living with my sisters because we were usually always together, and although I love them, three teens all in one house isn't always rainbows and butterflies. I began to miss them the most at night when we would usually sit all together and talk about our days or just sit together. There is something so special about having siblings, and I am so glad I get to have not one but two amazing sisters that double as my best friends. Now, whenever I know I get to see them, my mood instantly gets better.

These are just some of the few things in my life that I appreciate so much more than I already did when I moved away, but there are so many more that I would be here writing for the next few days. The moral of the story is basically that my life was great before college, and it still is now that I am in college, but I have matured in ways that I didn't know I would and they have made me realize just how blessed I am.