Born and raised in Asheville, N.C., Western Carolina University was not one of my top choices considering it was only an hour away from my house. I never wanted to be THAT close to home, until I finally realized that Western Carolina was meant for me. So here are the following reasons why I now call Western Carolina my home:

1. Family.

I've always been a family person and probably always will be. Ever since I could remember, I was always around family. Western is only around an hour away from ALL of my family and here, I can still be big on family. My dream school was East Carolina University in Greenville. After I took that five and a half hour journey for the tour, I realized that it wasn't worth it. That long five hour drive was not worth being so far away from those that I cherish most.

2. The size.

Western has thousands of students but compared to other schools, we are a university of minor students. I have comfort in knowing that my classes won't have a hundred students in them. I now have the opportunity to engage, ask questions and build relationships. Being in a classroom with 20 other students helps me to flourish.

3. It's so clean.

As a senior in high school, I started touring colleges. As I would tour, I would always have my dad with me. When we would walk the countless steps around countless campuses, my dad would count the cigarette butts he saw on sidewalks, in the grass or anywhere. After coming to Western, we were both stunned by how clean this campus was and still is. Many other schools would be covered in cigarette butts, and students would not even notice it.

4. The benefit of knowing people.

Coming to a college campus is terrifying. It's even more frightening not knowing one single person that goes there. Lucky, I knew people that had already attended Western. I was able to come and see the school before I even got accepted. Now, I am able to ask for directions, I have people to sit with during lunch and I have people's opinions. Their opinions help me to understand how big of a deal tutoring is, or how going to class is actually important.

5. Summer classes.

When I was accepted into Western I was also asked to join their summer program, Catamount Gap. Gap was a way for me and so many others to dive right into college life, get a head start, gain leadership skills and prepare for the next four years. We took 6-7 credit hours, learned what buildings were where and how to take advantage of all that Western offered. I was in a pre-nursing cohort with around 12 other students. We all struggled through college chemistry in five weeks, and we all managed to come out on the other side. Some of the students are still on the pre-nursing track, while others (me) are on a whole new path.

6. The food.

Honestly, if you want to gain the 'freshmen 15', you would want it to be off good food, right? Moe's, Panda Express, Chick-fil-A, and a Starbucks?! How will I not gain the freshmen 30? I have never eaten so much in my entire life, and these first few weeks are helping learn to say "no" to that extra fry or say "no" to my third Grande Caramel Macchiato of the day. Somedays, I need that extra shot of espresso. Especially after staying up until 2am reading an essay that my class did not even talk about.

7. The view.

I have saved my favorite for last, the view. Walking out of my residence hall everyday, I have the privilege to see a view of beautiful mountains. I can soak up sunshine on my walk to class, while also getting soaked when it rains. Which it rains 7/7 days a week in Cullowhee. Rain or shine, the mountains will forever be my home and I will always love looking out at them. After a bad day, I can go outside and see my beautiful home.