So...

what have I been up to?? Well, we are nearing November and I have yet to begin applying to universities. I want to choose five, but I'm having a hard time on picking which five I'd like to apply to. For 17 years, I've had a pretty simple life. I am so used to being taken care of, and I don't think I am ready to be out on my own! I REALLY dont! Choosing a college is definitely one of the biggest choices (if not the biggest) I've ever faced in my life. I've been fed an overwhelming amount of opinions from family and friends, all sharing what they think is best for me. However, at the end of the day, I ultimately want to feel like it's my choice. Wherever I might end up next year, I want it to be because I chose to go there and not because I felt obligated to. The only definite decision I have made is that I want to major in political science, with maybe journalism tied in somewhere. I want to pick a school that has a good political science program, and also somewhere that I could cheer. I've cheered all throughout high school and I am not so sure that I'm ready for that journey to end yet. It will take a LOT of dedication and time if I want to tryout for a college team, but as of right now I am leaning towards doing so. What I really need to do is sit down and write down all the pros and cons of the choices of universities I'm looking at. But as of right now the colleges I expect to apply to are...

If I'm not sure where I want to attend, I can always transfer once I make up and mind and have adjusted a little bit to being on my own. They have a cheer team, I know the campus, and it's in state tution. BUT I don't really want to stay in Flagstaff. My dreams are way bigger than this town!

It's away from home, but not too far away. They have a good cheer team, and a good political science program. There's no snow to drive in, and it's in state tuition. BUT everything outside the campus is a little bit ghetto

It's in state. They have a nice honors program. It is close to family, and I've heard good things about their institute program. BUT they don't have a cheer team, and it's REALLY hot in Tempe!

They have a super clean campus. They have a good political science program, and a cheer team. BUT it's really far from home, and I just don't know if it's right for me.

Lastly, I know that college can often be what makes or breaks a person. I know that there are schools that are considered "party schools" and that the college scene is often associated with parties and what not. But I also know that no matter where you go to college, you can find parties, or you can avoid them. It is whether or not you choose to seek out the temptations of the world, or to find happiness in other college experiences. I know who I am, and I know that although I might not be ready to pay credit card bills just yet, I am capable of making my own choices. I am not sure where I will end up next year but I just want it to be what is best for me. It's a big decision, but I want it to be a school that has the best options for me, for my major, my hobbies, and my future. Ultimately, I want it to be my choice, and to be supported in whatever I choose