1) You start to shape yourself:
We face many situations that force us to pick a side; to head towards a certain direction. Once we’ve taken what we’ve got from our guardians, we’re left to decide what’s right or wrong.
Your conscience will focus on all the gears that make up your thoughts. When your guidance is at least a phone call away, you have that minute, that hour, that day to think of what you need, and what satisfies you. We learn from experience, and when your friends and family aren’t around, you face yourself.
2) You find the courage to tackle your fears:
What are we all scared of, failure, sadness, loneliness? They say facing your fears helps you overcome them right? Well frankly, you’re forced to deal with things on your own and more often. You start to build up the tolerance you never knew you possessed, and it feels magnificent.
3) Independence:
One thing most teenagers want is to be on their own; yet most of them are unprepared for that reality. To be totally independent is an exaggeration, since we’re humans and we need people and things; but we learn to fly solo and find out what it’s like to steer. You must THINK, and you must ACT; and from that you will grow.
4) Freedom:
You’re nearly as free as the stars and stripes. By nearly meaning, the chores and daily errands don’t await you at home. One thing you’re not free from is love, which remains with every step you take. However, your daily decisions depend on how you feel, and nothing beats doing as you please.
5) You experience a different culture:
Even if you’re an hour away from home, there’s a good chance you’ll be exposed to an unfamiliar group of people, a new style of living, or simply a campus that differs from where you live. Your peers and even professors come from all kinds of places, rich with experience, and willing to share. Whether it’s a busy city or a desolate town, it gives you a new point of view.
6) You will be missed by your hometown:
Attention, attention and more attention. Whether you want it or not, you’ve got it. Let’s say your parents never spoiled you; your neighbor or uncle or heck, even your second grade teacher never made you feel wanted. They’ll wear your name out when you’re away, and secretly you won’t mind. Somebody is missing you and that is guaranteed.
7) You begin to alter your style:
Whether you’re a minimalist or a lavish rose with a thousand layers to your personality, you’ll start to adjust and tweak all the things that matter to you; your attitude, attire, habits, and the colors that surround you. You’re more likely to try new things when you’re away from a familiar community.
8) You get roommates:
Oh roomies. Can’t live with em, can’t live without em. At some point you’ll need to share SOMETHING with another living creature. That takes patience and understanding. You’ll learn to compromise, which will lead you to form stronger bonds; friendship becomes the best kind of ship.
9) You appreciate more:
You value all the things you grew up with, everything that built you up and sent you off to college. You find out that you’re fortunate. Also by making continuous efforts towards your school, friends, and yourself, you see that you’ve underestimated most of the things that people have done for you.
10) You start to act as a valuable citizen:
Everybody serves a purpose. No matter what you do, you’re causing a ripple in the pond of society. Once you figure out your environment, you start to notice diversity in your habitat, and try to figure out where you belong. Having two surroundings to compare gives you a head start on discovering our world.
Regardless of what route you take, as a high school graduate, or a young adult pursuing a higher education, you’ll need to throw yourself out there, get lost, and travel a new path to figure out what you want. So take your chances and go get 'em tiger!
