Profile

On August 24th, 2013, I started a new chapter of my life. I packed up my car in little Mansfield, Massachusetts and started my 8-hour drive to College Park, Maryland. I could not believe that I was finally starting my freshman year of college at the University of Maryland.

Going from graduating with 350 people that I went to school with from kindergarten to senior year to being part of a student body of 30,000 was a huge transition for me. I had originally loved the idea of going to a big school that was far, far away from Mansfield. In reality, it was scary being so far away from home and away from everything I was used to. I had originally loved the idea of going to a big school that was far, far away from Mansfield.

I was completely out of my element and I was confused when I didn't love it right away. I didn't have that "a-ha moment" about how this school was great. I thought I was automatically going to be having the time of my life, and I wasn't. "Did I make the right choice by coming here?" I thought.

It took longer than I thought to settle in. I have made really great friends since I've moved in and they've made my college experience all the better. I read a quote that says, "life begins at the end of your comfort zone." As cliche as it sounds, I really can relate to it now. I couldn't be happier here at Maryland now. This school has changed me for the better and has taught me to embrace change, not run from it.