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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.

Introduction

Penn State University turned out to be the perfect fit for me, a choice I never anticipated when I was 17 years old, searching for the ideal college.

While some students dream of attending Penn State because of family connections, a passion for football or their Pennsylvania roots. My journey to this school was quite different.

I come from a small town called Keene in New Hampshire. It has that tight-knit, small-town vibe and most people there tend to stick around.

My dad grew up there, moved away, and then decided to come back. I loved growing up there but knew it wasn’t my forever place.

Still, I thought about staying close to home for college because most people I knew did that.

I was big into playing sports, especially field hockey. I didn’t want to give it up after high school, so I picked my college based on being able to play. I ended up at Union College in New York, just a two-hour drive from home.

It seemed like a comfy setup. My family could come watch my games and everything seemed like it was going to be perfect. 

The Union College Experiment

Union College seemed like the perfect place to continue my athletic pursuits and pursue a biology major with dreams of becoming an orthodontist.

Little did I know that my college journey would take an unexpected detour. In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing as I began this new chapter of my life at Union College.

Testing was routine, and unfortunately, I was among the students who tested positive during the first week of school, requiring a 10-day quarantine back home.

This setback left me feeling isolated when I returned to campus and making friends became a daunting task. Union College, with only a 2,000-student enrollment, had a high school-like atmosphere that didn’t resonate with me.

I knew I was unhappy there but I did not know what to do about it. 

A Turning Point

I had a pivotal conversation with my family when I went home for a weekend.

They gave me valuable advice: “Life is too short to be unhappy, and college goes by in the blink of an eye. Don’t waste your time in misery when you have the power to change it.”

This talk led me to make a difficult decision; I told my field hockey coach that I was leaving Union College to seek a fresh start elsewhere.

My mental well-being was my priority and I needed a change.

The Gap Semester and Transformation

When I was home during winter break, I found a program called EF Gap Year, which offered a three-month journey through Costa Rica, Paris, London, Madrid and Barcelona.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and signed up for this adventure to get on a plane with 60 strangers.

My experiences during this journey were transformative for me as an individual.

I gained confidence, became more outgoing and made deep connections with people from around the world who I would have never met if I had not left Union College.

Discovering Penn State

Once I returned home, I decided to explore new opportunities including the possibility of attending a larger university.

I visited Penn State and was captivated by the vibrant energy on campus that all students understand. This visit affirmed my decision and I enrolled at Penn State to restart as a freshman in Aug. 2022.

Taking Control 

As I began my journey at Penn State, I was filled with excitement and nervousness.

I reminded myself that my college experience would be shaped by my own choices and actions. I made a conscious effort to get involved on campus.

I have joined a sorority and multiple other organizations, making Penn State my second home.

I am now a sophomore at Penn State majoring in Advertising and minoring in Digital Media Trends and Analytics.

I can confidently say that this is the perfect college for me. 

Conclusion

Life rarely unfolds according to plan, and my journey from a small town in New Hampshire to Penn State University is an example of that.

It’s okay to change course when necessary, to put yourself first and encourage personal growth. Life doesn’t follow a straight path and you’ll have ups and downs.

The key is to always put yourself first and make changes when you need to. You never know where your journey will take you or the people you’ll meet along the way.

So, embrace the uncertainty because it might lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Jaden is a third-year at Penn State studying Advertising and minoring in Digital Media Trends and Analytics.