When looking for colleges, distance did not bother me. I was open to going to school close to home or far away because I would be living on campus either way. Many seniors in high school want to escape their hometown by going to college far away. I ended up choosing a college only 20 minutes away from my house and I made a good choice. There are so many benefits to living in close to home, but still having the full college experience.
1. It makes for a short drive home.
You know the last day of classes before a break and all you want to do is get home as fast as possible? Having a college close by makes for an easy and quick drive home. If you don't have a car on campus, your parents can easily pick you up. It is also easy to have forgotten things brought to you or you can drive home and get anything you need.
2. You know your way around.
If you are attending a school in your town or a nearby town, you will pretty much know the shortcuts and how to get places without a GPS. You can guide yourself and your friends to the mall or store.
3. Tuition is cheaper.
In-state tuition is thousands of dollars cheaper than out-of-state tuition. You will save a lot of money when enrolling to a college in-state, local or not.
4. You can keep your radio stations.
I am one of those people who have the same three radio stations that I always listen to. I don't need to search the radio waves for new ones.
5. You tend to meet many people from your area.
It is very common to go to school close to home, so you tend to meet a lot of people from your hometown. That friendship might be able to survive more than others because it is easier to hang out and talk during breaks.
6. Your doctor and dentist are easy to get to.
No need to go to the college's health center when your doctor and dentist are close by.
7. You know where to go for fun.
Since you're already familiar with the area, you know the go to spots for fun and what to stay away from. Making plans is a whole lot easier when you already know where to go.
8. You know where all the roadwork is.
Nowadays, road work is literally everywhere and it is hard to avoid. You can inform your friends on what areas to stay away from and how to get around the roadwork. You'll become an instant lifesaver for them.
9. It is easy for friends to come visit when they come home from school.
I have had so many visitors from other schools because I am close to home. Since I am close, friends don't need to drive far to come visit me and hang out.
10. Family members can come pick you up for lunch or dinner.
You will always appreciate your family and their willingness to take you out for lunch or dinner. It it a good break from dining hall food.
11. You can come back to school late.
At the end of breaks and weekends, you can pretty much head back to campus whenever you want. If you need to get things done at home during the day, you can easily leave later.
