A little over a year ago when I graduated from high school, I did not get to experience what it was like to move into a dorm. I decided to go to community college for my first year of college to save money. Because I was going to community college, living on campus was not an option and I decided to just stay at home. I  felt like I was missing out on the college experience.

This year, however, is a different story. After being accepted to the four-year university of my choice, I decided it was finally time to move out. I decided against traditional on-campus living though and moved into my own apartment. The process of living in your own apartment at 19 is a little scary. I have bills and groceries and unpacking and everything else that comes with moving out on your own, which is a little overwhelming but at the end of the day the rewarding side of moving out is so much greater than the scary aspects of it.

I may realize every two seconds that there is something else I need to buy because I took it for granted while living at home, but I also get to live with my best friends and have fun and to me that is worth any stress I may be facing. I will be really honest, I miss my family and my dogs a lot but having the opportunity to grow and become an adult has been really amazing so far. I think that it is a really important part of becoming an adult and figuring out how life works.

I would encourage anyone to get out of the house for college and move into a dorm or get their own place. The experience is amazing and I think it is imperative to the development of adult responsibilities.