Being an out-of-stater is like being the foreign exchange student in high school who everyone treated like a toddler. We are the aliens of the school, but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way. There are a few moments that every out-of-stater can attest to experiencing hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Here they are:

When people who live an hour away complain about being homesick

When you tell people where you're from and they know nothing about it, but try to connect with you somehow...

"Oh that's nice!"

When you see all your friends visiting each other at colleges back home

When people talk about their high school friends in front of you

When the in-staters explain the do's and don't's

When you realize no one knows you and you're free to do whatever you want with little to no recognition: let freedom ring

When people introduce you as "This is ________, she's from ________."

Trying to catch onto the new lingo and lifestyle

Also the food...

First semester when people ask you how you're doing

Nearing a break that you'll actually be able to go home for

The internal struggle of embracing your college decision

But knowing you are where you should be

And you're so grateful for the friends who make it feel like home

Cause you know you couldn't do it without them