It seems like just yesterday that I was a senior in high school looking at my college acceptance letters and trying to make the decision on where I was going to attend school. I applied to schools up north, in my home state of North Carolina, and of course in Florida. I chose to attend the University of Florida for the amazing telecommunications program. While I was at first scared to move far away, it turned out to be the best decision I could make. These are three reasons I believe it is a good idea to move out of your comfort zone and start college in a new place with new people.

1. You really do get a fresh start

Starting school in a new place means you get a chance to find yourself where no one knows who you are. You constantly hear from your family “College is the best time of your life, you really find out who you are and what you want to do with your life.” This is even more exciting when you get to start over by yourself and become involved.

2. You meet new people with new culture

While I grew up in North Carolina, I grew up in Charlotte. Yes, North Carolina is located below the Mason Dixon line on a map, however Charlotte is a huge banking industry and most people have moved to Charlotte from the north. Charlotte is fast-paced, heavily populated, and you experience some of the worst traffic you could imagine. I quickly learned that Gainesville is more of a traditional southern city where people will strike up a conversation with you in the Publix line, and you can pretty much drive anywhere and arrive in fifteen minutes. While it was a bit of an adjustment, I have learned to appreciate the slower-paced environment.

3. It makes the trips home very special

Due to the long distance between Charlotte and Gainesville, it is not often that I get to take a trip home. For instance, my freshmen year I could not go home for Thanksgiving because, two weeks later, I would be going home for Christmas break. Therefore, I spent Thanksgiving in Gainesville. Even though at times it is rough and it can be disappointing that you can’t just go home for the weekend, it makes the trips home that much more exciting. I learned to be completely independent very quickly and I feel that I learned so much more.

So what is the bottom line? While yes moving away from your hometown can be scary and yes out-of-state tuition is terrifying, if the school you want to attend has the best academic program and you want to embrace the wonderful opportunities that come with the program then moving away from your home state is not as terrifying as it seems and you may come to realize that it was the best decision you could make.