I was never supposed to stay. 

Before starting college, I had always imagined myself in a bigger place- somewhere with more going on, more to choose from, and more chances to try new things. Staying in a small town just never really matched that vision. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, but I’ve always felt like there’s too much out there to experience to stay somewhere where options are limited. 

But things don’t always turn out the way you imagine them. 

A lot of students feel the same pull toward bigger cities, and it makes sense. You hear the same reasons all the time: more opportunities, more things to do, more people to meet, more ways to grow. In a bigger city, there’s always something happening. If one thing doesn’t work out or doesn’t interest you, you can just move on to something else. It’s easier not to feel stuck when there are so many options around you. 

That constant sense of possibility is what makes big cities so appealing- especially for young people who are still figuring out who they are and what they want. Places with tourism, culture, and diversity make it even more exciting. It feels like you’re not missing out on anything because everything is right there. 

And for a long time, I really believed that’s where I’d end up. But I didn’t. 

At first, it felt like I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I kept focusing on everything I felt I was missing- the experiences, the opportunities, the variety. Even now, there are still things I can’t easily find here, and I have to go to nearby cities for them. That part hasn’t really changed. 

What has changed is the way I look at it now. 

Staying somewhere smaller pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. When there aren’t endless distractions or new faces every day, you start building real connections with the people around you. You see the same classmates, same professors, the same routines- and instead of feeling repetitive, it started to feel familiar. Over time, this familiarity has made me more open, more social, and more willing to step out of my comfort zone. 

One thing that stands out is how hard people work. I’ve seen classmates go through tough moments and still show up, still put effort, still keep going. When they talk about their goals, you can tell they’re serious. They’re not just hoping things will fall into place- they’re actually working for what they want. 

The reality is a lot of us start in places like this planning to leave. It almost feels expected- you start here, then eventually move somewhere bigger. And maybe that will still happen. I’m still drawn to bigger cities and everything they offer. 

But staying here hasn’t held me back. If anything, it has helped me in ways I didn’t expect. I don’t think I realized how much harder it might have been for me to adjust to college if I had gone somewhere bigger right away. Being here gave me the chance to adjust, figure things out, and to build confidence at my own peace. 

This wasn’t exactly how I imagined things going, but I don’t regret it. At the end of the day, where you start doesn’t determine where you’ll end up. Whether you’re in a small town or a big city, what matters most is what you do with what you have – even if they look different from what you imagined. 

And hopefully, no matter where we are, we’ll still find a way to get where we want to be.