5. Oh, The Places You Had No Idea You Would Go

Have you attended three different colleges, or are you normal? I am a huge believer that everything happens for a reason. No one can really plan their life, which is a vast reality I have had to learn these past few years. Until my junior year, I had a harsh reality check that maybe the plan I thought I wanted after graduation wasn't what I truly desired.

I wanted the whole college experience once I graduated high school and moved into my dorm at Colorado State University that Fall. As I moved a little over an hour away from home, I was in a completely new environment where I did not know anyone. Going from a graduating class of barely a hundred people who I've known since I was a kid to entering a lecture hall with over three hundred students was overwhelming, to say the least. Imposter syndrome kicked in, and I questioned my decision to attend a university where I constantly felt alienated.

You deserve to be in the room, your voice is essential, and your presence is needed. As a first-generation student, we are entering and creating a necessary disruption. It's not easy; the lonely times, the pressure of being a first-gen, the frustration of not knowing what you should be doing, and not having anyone close to reach out to for advice, it's all a part of your growth. If you are a first-year, first-gen, or want to rant about your experience, I'm here and can most likely relate!

My first year at CSU was necessary; I would not be the person I am today if I did not venture out. I had already been a pretty independent woman before college, but my time at CSU really pushed me out of my comfort zone. I wished everyone could experience just a little of having to do daily things without any company. You learn a lot about yourself and become comfortable with yourself when you have to eat dinner and pull all-nighters in the library by yourself.

As my first-year was coming to an end, I was waitlisted as an RA, my friends had already signed a lease, and I was not about to take out a loan to stay on campus. So I moved back home and enrolled at the Community College of Denver. I loved CSU, but in my first few weeks at CCD, I had more friends, connected with my professors more, and felt more at home than I ever had while I was at CSU. I secured a cool on-campus job, literally getting paid to do homework, watch youtube, and occasionally work and help students. I even booked an internship for the business chairman while I was there. Community College can have a negative stigma or can be seen as less than a four-year university. There would be a bouncy house on the quad at CSU, or I could randomly see Cam the Ram while on my way to class, but CCD also offered so much! There were always events happening, and I felt more comfortable and learned more at CCD than I ever did at CSU.

If you're thinking of going to a community college, I highly recommend CCD! The Auraria campus is so beautiful, and at times it can be a pain to have to commute every day, but it still gives you that university vibe~

After I completed my two years of college, I left CCD and transferred to CU Denver. I did not get my associate's degree while at CCD. Some of my CSU credits did not move over, and I was not about to take calculus and retake some other classes I had already taken. Fortunately, all of my credits transferred over to CU Denver, and I felt like I ended up exactly where I was suppose to be. I finally got all the pre-req classes out of the way, loved all of my business classes, and was excited to learn more about my major. I found a great group of friends and joined an organization that would change my life!

My friends and I went to the success summit at the business school, and I was a little late and ended up being in a different group without them. So I was alone and had to network by myself, which is fine, but I was also internally screaming inside, trying to put myself out there. Students started pitching their clubs/organizations, and one student talked about how he went to Chicago with The National Millennial and Gen Z Community. I was so interested and amazed by his opportunity. I introduced myself, and we exchanged contact information. Fast forward six months later, and we were out in LA with NMC and meeting top execs of huge companies like Warner Bros., Disney/ABC, and so much more!

Being in my final year of my undergrad, I could not imagine myself anywhere else. I love CU Denver and have come across so many wonderful people and opportunities. The moral of the story is, you have to trust and flow with the path you are put on. I felt like my life was getting off-track and was nervous about all the new changes in my life, but it's all apart of the process. As I look back on my journey, I am so grateful for all of my experiences. I forced myself into unfamiliar situations, and it has definitely shaped the person I am today.

We are in such a confusing time, but you are exactly where you are supposed to be! I hope you had a great week and thank you so much for reading. I appreciate it so much. Make sure to follow me on my other social channels: Twitter and Instagram! I hope this week treated you nicely, and you are a inspired to reflect and appreciate your life journey a little more :)