I first set foot on Weber State University’s campus three years ago in April. I was eager to see the school, and Ogden, before I committed to transferring from Dixie State University.

While I enjoyed my time in Southern Utah, I was ready to get out on my own and interested in the forensics program that WSU offered.

My tour was short, and at the time, construction was still on-going for Tracy Hall, but I nevertheless enjoyed the campus. Shortly after my visit, I officially applied for WSU and began my first semester in fall of 2014.

Despite feeling so prepared for the change over the summer, when I got to WSU I immediately found myself homesick for St. George and cynical toward the place I had just committed to for the next three years.

I wasted my first month bummed out about a few extra courses I would need to take that didn’t transfer and feeling out of place in my new environment. With a kick in the pants from my parents and friends, I finally let myself experience Weber, and I am so thankful I did.

My roommate introduced me to The Signpost, and I began to write for the paper. Obviously, I decided to stick around. I let The Signpost become my safe place to land, and without shame, it’s where I made friends.

Being an already independent and head-strong person — or stubborn, as my parents put it — I didn’t think I would need to do much growing up when I got out on my own, but like so many times in my life, I was wrong.

No, I wasn’t struggling to do my laundry or make a decent meal, but I struggled with the confidence to make my own decisions.

My parents’ advice was a phone call away, but I pushed myself to make my own decisions, especially on the day-to-day basis, and more importantly how to be okay with those decisions.

I let myself enjoy my classes, make friends in my field and I ended my senior year with an internship with Weber-Metro CSI, where I actually got to do what I’ve been wanting to do since I first began: go out on real crime scenes and experience my future career firsthand.

If I hadn’t given myself the chance to enjoy Weber, I probably would have squandered this opportunity. I may have gone back to Dixie and finished out a degree I didn’t really want.

Of course, everything didn’t always run smoothly. There were weeks where everything seemed to rain down on me at once, and I could never see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, I wouldn’t trade these years at Weber for anything.

To those who still have time at Weber, I encourage you to get involved at Weber and take more away from your time here than a diploma.

I say thank you to Weber State, for giving me an education in something I’m truly passionate about and forcing me to grow as a person.

Thank you to The Signpost for letting me be involved all over campus and teaching me how to write in a way that didn’t make the copy desk cringe. But most importantly, thank you for showing me what I am capable of and being my home away from home while at Weber.