1. You'll miss home more than you think.
After you commit to a college, especially if it's out of state, you will be counting down the days until you can finally leave home and be on your own. No more siblings, no more curfew! Although, after a while you will miss the company, love, and your parents paying for things.
2. When your college friends who live in-state go home, you're alone.
Be okay eating by yourself and find a hobby. Even a big campus can be dead on the weekends when there's nothing going on.
3. You don't need to bring everything.
You have limited space in your dorm room and you won't use most of the things you bring anyway. Just make sure you pack clothes for every season.
4. You're likely to start your career in that state, so make sure you like it.
Your network will be created in and around that state. So pick wisely and think about your future.
5. When your high school friends go home for an event and you're unable to go.
At least you can look at all of the pictures they post together on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. They really want to remind you you're not there.
6. People will ask you "why did you come here?" a million times after you tell them where you're from.
Come up with a standard short and sweet answer then quickly change the subject.
7. You can't go home for dinner or have your mom do your laundry.
These will become precious things once you go to school. Ramen, cereal, and laundry pods are your new normal.
8. You may actually find yourself spending holidays with your new friends, not your family.
Traveling back home for a few days can get very expensive, especially for holidays. Might be 'meeting the parents' quicker than you thought!
9. The type of people you tried to escape from in your hometown will be in the new town too.
Luckily, you're in a new bigger pond. You will have a fresh start to choose your friends wisely.
10. Out-of-state, does not mean out of mind. Your parents may still be hovering.
When they call and you don't answer, tell them you were busy studying at the library.
11. Your dog may not remember you when you come home for Christmas break.
They will bark at you but give them a treat and they'll soon be your snuggle buddy again.
12. Out-of-state tuition....ouch! But you signed up for it!
It's really the experience that counts. Just try not to hate the people who are paying in-state tuition.
13. It may take a week to get a package from your home.
Make sure you don't forget anything you're really going to need and budget wisely
14. You are fully capable of making it past the first semester.
When you tell people what college you'll be attending many will comment, "I bet you won't make it past the first semester." Trust me, you'll love your school if you take your cool pants off and step out of your comfort zone.
15. Your high school friends might not stay your best friends.
Going out of state to college forces you to grow. It's an opportunity for new experiences you might not have had if you stayed close to home. You will meet many new friends who will be your friends for life.
