Around this time last year, I had just been accepted into The University of North Alabama. I was so excited to finally go off and be a UNA lion. I had been a fan of the campus for a while, so it really meant a lot to me when I found out that I had finally gotten in. However, sometimes things don't work out the way you expect and want them to, but it's always for the best.

Because of many different elements of things that I couldn't control, I decided to stay home for a year and attend Calhoun Community College. I'll be honest, I felt a little embarrassed about this at first. I knew Calhoun was just as good a school as any other, but I was dreading seeing snapchats and Instagram posts of everyone moving away while I stayed home. Yes, seeing these things did indeed suck, but I decided to make the best of it and look at the bright side of things. (For example, I saw tons of dorm room posts, so I decided to do my own, in the comfort of my home.)

Staying home means learning more about the city I grew up in, and getting to experience it as an adult. Staying home means getting to go to Friday night football games as an adult and not a high school student. Staying home means getting to go to Saturday band competitions and take tons of videos and pictures of my friends like a proud mom. Staying at home means getting to go visit my friends who are away, but then getting to come back home and sleep in my own bed. I'm not saying going away to college is a dumb decision, I'm just saying it's not my decision, not right now anyway.

I've learned that Calhoun Community College is an excellent place to get an education. Just because it's local, doesn't mean it's not teaching me just as much if not more if I had gone off this year. I am getting to re-connect with people that I haven't talked to in a long time, making more memories with my best friends, and so much more. I am being granted wonderful opportunities constantly because I decided to stay home this year, like writing for The Odyssey. If I had gone off right away, I may have never gotten blessed with this opportunity.

Deciding to go to Calhoun this year was a decision that I am proud to have made. I know everything happens for a reason, and I am glad God has given me this opportunity to find my reason. Who knows, I may be at UNA next year and finally be a lion, but for now, Go Warhawks!