As a senior in high school, college decision time comes in the blink of an eye. One moment you are raising your hand to use the bathroom, and the next you are deciding where you will spend the next four (or more) years of your life -- I mean, no pressure or anything, right? Wrong. This decision is huge, and there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right university for you -- from program availability to campus size and beyond -- but one of the most important ones to consider (in my humble opinion) is the distance you are willing to stray from home. Some people are ready right away -- the thought of being out from under their parents' thumb is clearly all too good an offer. But others, like me, are a little more reserved when it comes to leaving the safety and comforts of the place they had called home for 18 years.

My application process began with all the usual suspects for an Oregonian: Oregon State, University of Oregon, Portland State and so on. In my mind, I wanted to stay close to home, but ultimately, these were a last resort. The majority of my high school peers would be headed that way, and it was my goal to meet new people with new perspectives. I had been surrounded by these same kids for almost 12 years, and quite blatantly, I was sick of it. It was time for something new. After applying to a number of other schools within the surrounding Oregon/Washington area, I stumbled upon Western Washington University, a little farther from home than I originally sought, but it had everything I imagined. And best of all, I only knew of two people from my high school that would be attending -- this was both terrifying and exciting.

Now, as I stand on the cusp of my senior year at Western, with three years behind me, I can confidently say that moving out of state for college was the best decision I could have made. These past few years have been filled with some of the highest highs, lowest lows and a few lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

First and foremost, I learned the importance of self-care. College has so many distractions that it can become easy to lose yourself in the many classes, activities, and social events that take place. It does not take much for me to be overwhelmed and stressed by my surroundings and situations, especially socially, and I became increasingly aware of my inner voice warning me to slow down. Within the first month at Western, I realized that if I did not pay attention to this voice, I would run myself into the ground. Whether it was treating myself to a meal downtown, or a quiet afternoon on the lawn reading my book, I have learned that these moments are some of the most important in college. We must take care of our bodies and minds -- no one else is going to do it for us.

Secondly, I have learned that I am an introvert, and there is nothing wrong with that. Our society has a tendency to focus on and praise those are are extroverted, raising young people to believe that the only way to succeed in this world is having these particular traits. I found this to be particularly conflicting in high school, feeling as though I would not be successful if I was not loud, outgoing, bold or forward with my opinions and thoughts. It was Western’s faculty and students that showed me that being introverted was nothing to be ashamed of, and that there were perspectives, opinions, and ideas that I could bring to the table based on my experiences as an introvert.

The final and most important thing I learned in moving away from home is that I am capable. I am capable, I am independent and I am strong. Where most of the kids around me had their parents within an hour or two of campus, I was a six-hour drive from my main support system. Being self-sufficient was probably the most important aspect of living this far from home, and it didn’t take me long to realize this. Whether I was sick to my stomach or stressed about a 10-page paper due the next day, I no longer could rely on my mom to rub my back and tell me it was all going to be OK -- it was entirely up to me. This became particularly important as I entered my sophomore year and experienced my first anxiety attack. Anyone with anxiety can tell you how scary any panic attack can be, but especially the first one. It was the recognition of my own capability that helped me through this first attack, and has continued to aid me in the continuous battle with anxiety.

And so I challenge you: break out of your comfort zone. You never know what you might find in yourself.