Senior year of high school is the most important of any kid’s life. That is, when it is time to decide where you are going to spending the next four years of your young adult life. Will you be going far away to college or staying close to home? Or maybe you’re going to choose to not go at all. Whatever you decide to do, understand that it’s okay to change your decision. Change is a part of life.

When I was a senior last year, I had planned on going away to college, I was going to be only an hour away from home. I was confident in my decision, I knew that I would miss my family and friends, but it was something that I felt I had to do in order to grow up and live independently. Upon arrival to college orientation, something didn’t feel right. I knew that it was normal to be missing my parents and friends back home, but I couldn’t stomach the fact that I was going to have to leave them next month when this all became a reality. That next morning when my parents picked me up to go home, while driving away I felt relieved. I wondered what was wrong with me that I wasn’t as excited as everyone else to be returning?

That night, I sat in my room and knew that I had to make the decision of whether or not I was going to go in August. My mom has reassured me that whatever I wanted to do my dad and her would support. I felt my heart pushing me to stay home. I decided to withdraw from the university and stay home and commute to community college. This was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, as I felt as if I wasn’t pushing myself hard enough. That fall semester spent in community college did not feel 100% either, so I decided to apply to Monmouth University for the spring semester.

I live right in town where Monmouth’s campus is. I had always loved the small, beautiful campus as a kid. When I had been accepted, I was so thrilled. I still commute there everyday, but I get to be on a campus that feels right to me and enjoy the academic success that I can have there. My message to rising high school seniors is this- do not feel pressured to go far away from home when choosing a college. It is totally okay to be at home with your family and friends. Understand that change is always going to prevalent and sometimes life does not always go to plan. Enjoy this year and do not fret so much on your decisions.