Growing up, Aggies surrounded me in my family, and this affected my view of how my future would play out. When I was 13, I thought I wanted to go to TAMU because my mom went there and my family was pushing me that this would be the best decision I could make. Entering high school, I kept this belief and continued to pursue TAMU.
But closer to application season, I considered what it would be like to leave my home, or even my state, in pursuit of bigger things. I first started thinking this would be a good way to explore new places, and as much as I hate to say it now, get away from my family. The expectation that I would go to TAMU regardless of what else was out there made me resentful of Aggieland. I applied simply because I knew I would get in, and my family recommended I apply in case I wanted to stay home. I got in and didn’t pay much mind to the acceptance.
Going forward, I realized that TAMU would be the cheapest option, and as I went to more informationals and events, I changed my tune on how my life would play out if I stayed. I could keep working, see my parents, and be close by in case something went wrong. I also decided to live in a dorm, which gave me a little more comfort that my life would still be my own, and not the same as it was in high school.
Now, I can’t imagine my life another way. I’ve experienced so much here, and I feel like my life has changed for the better. I was still able to have the comfort of being close to my friends and family while exploring “college life”. While I’m still not a die-hard Aggie, I can appreciate what this campus has to offer.