My days at home in Georgia are numbered. Although I will miss my friends from high school and my family terribly, I have never been more ready to move on with my life. This month, I will begin a new chapter of my life, and I will be a little bit closer to becoming the person I really want to be. I know that I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to go to college out of state, as the majority of my friends have to stay in Georgia, many extremely close to our own town.

Now, living with a roommate I’ve only met once (from Wisconsin, nonetheless), doing my own laundry, and basically fending for myself 24/7 is going to be a huge change, but I know I am prepared. It’s funny how things change- just three years ago I aspired to be an actress going to school in LA or NYC- until I discovered my love of journalism and all that it entails. Never in a million years would I have thought I would end up going to college in Missouri of all places! I am extremely happy with my decision, though; I truly believe in my heart that Mizzou is the best place for me to achieve my dreams and goals.

I know it will be a sort of mini culture shock living in the Midwest (I lived in Indiana and Illinois when I was very young, but I barely remember it), as I was born and raised on the East Coast. Even just going to orientation and seeing the flat, sprawling land; cornfields; and hearing all the Midwestern accents was quite unusual for me. I am used to big cities, crazy drivers, and expensive everything. Honestly, Missouri is as far west as I have ever been, and I am glad that I get to experience a life totally different than the one to which I am used.

I plan to make the most of my time in college- I want to study abroad, join a sorority, work planning concerts on campus, obtain a double major in broadcast journalism and business and a minor in French, and get some great internships that will help me in my future career. Most of all, though, I want to open my mind, broaden my horizons, and really enjoy my time in college. I hope that all the incoming freshmen this year get to do so as well. College is the beginning of the rest of your life, so make it count!

Raised in Boston and currently residing in Atlanta, Courtney is a senior in high school. A self-confessed bookworm and history geek, her passions also include running, acting, painting, playing guitar, and photography. Courtney dreams of one day traveling the world as a journalist and working for NBC's The TODAY Show. As an Irish Catholic whose ancestors struggled against discrimination and poverty upon immigrating to America, Courtney enjoys befriending those of different races, religions, and backgrounds in hopes of creating a more unified, educated world.

Missouri, Here I come!