I am from Westminster, Colorado and moved 537 miles away from the big city to little Portales, New Mexico. After I made the move, I was questioning my sanity and whether or not I made the right decision. I mean who would move from the mountains to the desert without having had a mental break first?

The longer I stayed, I quickly started to realize that this was the best decision that I could have made. I learned how to take care of myself and work hard no matter how tired I was. Even though my family is really far away from me, I did find an Eastern family.

I am your average college student. I work at a full-time job, I am a full-time student and am the proud owner three beautiful dogs that I may or may not obsess over. College, particularly at ENMU, has been the best decision that I have made thus far in my young adult life.

Portales is a small town filled with people with big hearts. The first thought that I had when I came here is "Why is everyone so nice?" Attending Eastern I have met some really amazing people here because of coming to Eastern and have made some life-long friends. ENMU is a school that is about surrounding yourself with quality people. I do not think that I could have made the strides that I have in my life without coming here first.

The professors at ENMU explained to me when I was a freshie, that success is not something that comes beating down your door. It is something that you have to go beating down its door in order to achieve it. With that in mind I have been able to analyze why I have had success or failure. Although I was so far away from home, I did find that guidance that I need as a young person.

As a first-generation college student, it was very scary to think about going into higher education knowing that my parents have limited knowledge and no personal experience to help guide me through this part of my life. Living on campus or nearby helped me to really connect with the campus faculty. There have been so many times where I felt lost and alone and having that bond with someone who knows what you are going through, who can talk to you about it and give you advice; that is something that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

I will never forget my experiences at ENMU because the people around me have made them memorable. Through every small triumph and minor setback, Eastern has never turned their back on me. Because of that, I will always be a Greyhound no matter where my life takes me next.