College is one of those times where we reinvent ourselves and discover who we really are. The first time in our life where we are independent and making decisions without our parents around. Moving to a different state for college opens up a whole new world of opportunity, and here are some of the perks and downsides of doing so.
1. Making All New Friends.
When you go to a new state, you get to meet all new people. You get to start fresh. You can go and create a new identity by going out of state and learning who you really want to be. Making new friends can be a lot of fun because you can create all new memories and be able to bond over what are supposed to be the best four years of your life.
2.Losing All The Ones From Home.
Meeting new people as an adult is scary, everyone feels so awkward and unsure of themselves that we don't know where we fit in. Then we happen to stumble upon some people who are just as weird as you are and then you discover people who will be friends with you for life. Sadly when you move states you lose a lot of people who you thought you were really close to. Moving away causes people to not be able to make as much time for you, since they aren't constantly around to see you.
3. Discovering New Things.
Hopefully you realize all that the new state and area of your college have to offer. The vast places to explore or the new environment you get to discover makes each and every place unique in it's own way. You get to see all the perks of being able to take a wild road trip to something you've never seen before.
4. Missing The Familiar Things.
Moving to another state means missing all the little things that your home had to offer. For me, this was green chile, culture, and the big city life, because moving from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Manhattan, Kansas meant big change. I used to be so used to walking around and Spanish being a norm for the language, or not being surrounded by a big city where everything is right near you. You start to miss the things that make your hometown special and what you were comfortable with.
5. Missing Your Parents.
When you go out of state, it isn't exactly an easy thing to take a trip back to your parents during a hectic semester. You'll soon come to realize just how much your parents did for you and how little you like doing those things on your own. Remember the days of a rent free house, cooked meals, and all the love you can ask for. Even when they can kinda drive you crazy, you will always be missing them.
6. Being Away From Parents.
Not being around parents means a little more freedom along with the responsibility. If you want to eat at 2 a.m., or even stay out late with your friends having some drinks, going out of town means being able to not worry about your parents. I have enjoyed being able to discover the lifestyle I like living where I still know that they love me, but I'm also becoming my own person and can do my own thing.
All in all, college in another state has a lot of perks and a lot of downfalls, but honestly I think going out of state and getting a new start is the greatest choice I could have made. I know I didn't mention tuition and things like that, but these were more personal reasons why I think being out of state is worthwhile.
