I never liked slumber parties.

The idea of spending the night at a friend’s house terrified me growing up. The unfamiliarity of someone else’s bed – or even worse, a blanket and pillow on the floor – made my skin crawl.

I was always the kid that needed my mom to come pick me up in the middle of the night. I would get knots in my stomach when there was an idea of staying overnight anywhere else besides my own house and bed. 

“How are you ever going to go to college and survive without us?” my parents would always jokingly ask. And to be honest, I had no idea. I was comfortable at home in Indiana. I felt safe with my parents, two brothers and my dog. Stepping outside my comfort zone was something that I dreaded doing.

When senior year rolled around and I began applying for colleges, I was hoping to stay relatively close to home. I was content with the idea of staying in Indiana for college so that I could be close to my family, and – if needed – could travel home when I wanted to. I began applying.

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I decided to do an internship my senior year of high school that focused on sports broadcasting. I had an idea that I wanted to pursue something in the communications field in college, so I started in the realm of sports media. I was excited to go around the South Bend area and cover local high school sports. I gained hands-on experience in interviewing, recording and editing videos, along with experience in social media management. 

My internship coordinator became a huge role model for me. He allowed me to further develop and utilize skills in a field that I was extremely passionate about. And then he told me something that would completely redirect the plan I had for college.

“I am an alumni from Syracuse University, and they have a phenomenal communications school. You should apply.”

I laughed. Syracuse? In New York? No way. It was way too far from home. And I didn’t know anyone over there. I only applied because my internship coordinator had encouraged me to, but I didn’t expect an acceptance or anticipate a commitment. The idea was pushed to the back of my mind as I geared all my focus toward my applications to local schools.

In March of my senior year, I had my wisdom teeth removed. The anesthesia began to wear off as I received an email from Syracuse University, informing me that a decision has been made for my application. With ice packs pressed to my face, I opened the decision letter: direct admittance to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with an intended major in broadcast and digital journalism for the class of 2025.

If I hadn’t had gauze in my mouth, my jaw would have dropped to the floor. I knew right there and then that I was given an opportunity to not only to further use and develop my skills at Syracuse, but to push myself outside my comfort zone. And if I didn’t commit, I knew I would always have that regret in the back of my mind. Maybe it was time to try something new…and as much as that idea scared me, I learned that day that I needed to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I now live by that motto every single day.

I would not be the person I am today if I didn’t take that leap of faith and move to upstate New York. I learned how to live alone, get involved at school, and make new friends. I have gone on to produce news shows at the student-run television station on campus and have become a content creator for the Newhouse School’s social media accounts. I’m also a tour guide for the Newhouse School, where I show prospective students and families around the building and explain to them why they should also choose Syracuse like I did.

I like to share my story with students who also struggle with the idea of going far from home for college. I’ve learned that you grow more by taking opportunities that challenge your comfort level. Fear should never be the reason as to why you don’t push yourself. It’s overcoming that fear and taking on new challenges that drives you to become a stronger person. 

So grab your sleeping bags… it’s time for a slumber party.