Going off to a school three hours away from house I grew up in was not easy. It was really hard at first, and I was homesick. Going to a new place where you don't know a single person and you're all alone is terrifying. But if you give yourself time to adjust, I think it's one of the best choices you can make. It turned out that way for me andfor so many others I've met!

During my first year of college I went home every other weekend, basically every chance I could get. On top of being homesick, it didn't help that I hated the school I was at. After my first year of school, I went home for the Summer and decided I wouldn't return to my University, but instead I'd go to the technical college down the road from my house. I thought I would be happier being back home because I thought I was missing out on all the fun stuff my friends were doing (all of my friends stayed in my town after high school graduation). But I still wasn't happy- I was just comfortable. And also bored. It felt just like high school but worse, and I just wasn't making any progress in any area of my life by staying home.

Then I transferred to College of Charleston and with time. I decided to go here because of the city, and with time I realized that I absolutely loved it. Being away from home eventually wasn't so scary at all. I've grown so much during my time here, and I'm still going. It's taught me how to be comfortable in my own company. It's taught me what it means to venture outside of my comfort zone. Going to school away from home has taught me true independence, something that I don't think I would have learned so quickly staying at home with all of the same people I've always known. It's made me really think for myself for the first time. It's taught me responsibility- not having my Mom around to pick up the slack. It's taught me how to be myself and to follow my heart. It sounds a little cheesy, but it's true.

I go home about once a month or less now because I'm so busy in my new life. I look at how comfortable I am now in this new place (not so new anymore), and it amazes me at how far I've come. Going to college in a different city has taught me that's okay to take risks. I plan to take many more- this one has turned out so well!