Living on campus was a requirement my first year of college and I remember thinking, "Why? I'm in college. I'm grown! I can handle myself without living in a residence hall with people I don't even know."

Truth is, you don't know what you're missing until its gone.

Okay, so that may not be entirely true, but it sure felt that way when I moved into my first "real" place. At the start of my second year of college, aka last week, I moved into my first apartment and I honestly felt like that was the start of adulthood. As if, in that very moment, I was forced to know exactly what a mortgage was, how to pay taxes, and the perfect time to set up a 401k. I felt like I was having a mid-life crisis at 19.

I realized that moving off campus signified to me that while, yes, I was on my own, I was simply experiencing new things. I had been dreaming about decorating my own place since I was little, and I will admit it's overwhelming when you realize you've officially reached that point in your life. When things started feeling chaotic, I redirected all that energy to look at the positives: I was living with people I cared about and people I knew would hold me accountable to being on time, getting work done, and reminding me when it's my turn to do the dishes. I had a bigger space to myself and I had more freedom to do what I wanted with said space. Best of all: I no longer shared a bathroom.

It also made me appreciate my parents more and everything they've done for me. I have a newfound appreciation for my incredible roommates and their support through various mental breakdowns, and I can definitely say I understand the value of a dollar much more. (See dad? I told you it would happen someday.)

Life moves fast. Focusing on your past experiences won't make it move any slower. I never really understood why people said to live in the present, but as I look around my adorable apartment at roommates laughing together, making dinner, watching movies, or exchanging life stories, I realize exactly what they meant.