Some people can't fathom the idea of going to college close to home, and I used to be one of those people. Why would anyone want to live close to home when they have the option of going half-way across the country? When I chose to attend school near my house, I was scared that it wouldn't feel like a big step or change in my life like my friends who were moving to California or Chicago. But when I arrived, I realized that I might as well be far away since I'm in a completely new environment surrounded by strangers. The only difference: Instead of hopping on an airplane and flying for several hours to get home, I can drive home in 10 minutes. There are many common misconceptions of what it's like to go to school close to home, and I've heard several questions and comments regarding this quite frequently so here they are...
1. "So do you like go home every day/weekend?"
No. I've gone months without going home. Shocker!!
2. "I bet you do your laundry at home a lot"
Let's see... Take my laundry to the basement of the building I'm already in or pack up all my laundry, have someone come pick me up and drive 10 minutes just to do the same thing? No thanks.
3."Are you living at home then?"
NO. Living on campus is all part of the college experience. Even if I went to school a block from my house, I would still live on campus.
4. "How can you miss home when you're so close?"
If you're not at home, you miss it. Simple as that. It doesn't matter how far I am away, if I don't see my family or my dogs, I miss them.
5. "Yeah but you're not really moving out"
I'm physically moving out of my childhood home and moving into a dorm room, how is that not moving out again?
Making the decision to attend college close to my house was the best decision I've ever made. I love having the option to go home when I want but also keep my distance. It's great knowing that my family is just a short drive away if I ever need anything at all.
