Choosing to become a student at the University of Montevallo was the best decision I made during my senior year of high school. I cannot tell you how at home I feel on this campus and how much it is shaping me into the person I want to be in this world.

In the few months that I have been here, Montevallo has already taught me a lot. From expressing your true self to going out of my comfort zone to meet new people, I have pushed myself to make some new memories while also making new discoveries about this campus.

1. The BRITA water dispenser is not my friend.

I have used this machine at least three times now, and every time I have found that water squirts out at me because I have A) not properly put my water bottle under the nozzle or B) have moved it away too quickly while the water was still dispensing. This machine is a challenge for me to use, and you would think that a simple freshman like me would be able to figure out how to use it without messing up. Think again.

2. SGA here is more different than SGA in high school.

How do I even explain the difference here between the two? In high school, I felt like I did not have a significant job as senior class treasurer. In fact, there were times where I loathed it because I did not have much of a say sometimes.

Serving on Freshman Forum here, I do have a say! I also feel more welcomed in this group of students, too. Even though we have not been a group for too long, I have already found that I love everyone and love being a small part of my school's SGA.

So, piece of advice, kiddos: Do SGA in college. Hopefully you will choose Montevallo to do this, but I am sure that you will have fun no matter where you go.

3. Never (and I mean NEVER) call your residence hall a "dorm."

Heads up! Here at Montevallo, we do not have dorms. In fact, we could not tell you what a dorm looks like or feels like. However, we can tell you what a residence hall looks and feels like. Montevallo is a place that people call their home away from home, so your residence hall has to feel like home. I have heard stories about women's communal bathroom music jam sessions, residence hall get-togethers, and so much more. It is a beautiful thing, really, to live in a residence hall and not a dorm.

4. Anything is possible on Purple Side.

I am going to brag on my side for a bit. Since Scholar's Day, a day where I went to tour Motevallo as an official Honors Student, I instantly felt a connection when I met the new Purple Side leaders. I could tell by their enthusiasm and love for the side that this had to be my choice.

On the night of the College Night mixer, I felt so overwhelmed with love from my fellow Purple Side members. I was even adopted by an amazing Purple mom. (If you are not sure what the whole Purple Family concept is, it just means that we have little family units within our side that brings us closer together. It is really cute.)

Hearing the songs and holding hands with other people did not feel weird at all. It felt wonderful, and in that moment I knew that I made the right decision to be on Purple Side. Plus, purple is an awesome color. Just saying.

I know that I have many more things that I have learned, but these are just the few that really stick out to me. It is only October, but I am ready for what the rest of the school year brings my way. I may trip on the bricks along the way, but I will get up and keep on going.