Deciding on where to attend college can be a very challenging decision for high school seniors. Some may know exactly where they want to attend from the beginning, but others may have to narrow it down between several different schools. Many factors play into this big decision, like the size of each school, programs offered, cost and distance from home. So many students are often hesitant to attend a school more than an hour or two from home just because they want to have the convenience of staying close to their friends and family. While there is nothing wrong with staying close to home for college, I’ve learned that there are many benefits of moving off a bit farther for school.
1. It gives you independence.
If you’re living at least few hours away from home, you are pretty much on your own for everything. You have new responsibilities and it’s up to you make all of your decisions. You can’t just go home for the day so that you can do some laundry and have a home cooked meal. While it may not always be easy, having this new level of independence helps prepare you for adulthood.
2. You get to live in a new city.
It may be super confusing at first, but once you learn where everything is (mainly just Target and Publix, if we’re being honest), you’ll really start to appreciate your new home away from home. Plus, you’ll probably become a pro at navigating your way from school to home in no time.
3. You meet new people.
While it’s probably nice to start off college with a few people you know from high school, making new friends from different places is one of the best parts of the college experience. If you’re at a school far from home, you are pretty much forced to make new friends. You’ll learn a lot about so many new people and how they ended up where they are.
4. You appreciate your time with friends and family even more.
Staying at school close to home obviously gives you the opportunity to go home almost any time you want, but being more than about two hours away can be a challenge. If you want to make a trip home, you’ll probably be planning it at least a week in advance. Being farther away isn’t always convenient, but the time you do get to spend at home with friends and family is even more special.
5. You will open your mind and learn a lot about yourself.
College is a fresh start for everyone, and moving away gives you a great opportunity to completely start over if you want to. Whether you want a new group of friends, a new job or maybe you’re considering choosing a new career path, living in a new and unfamiliar city will help you learn a lot about yourself and give you some great opportunities; you just have to be willing to take them.
I will never regret moving three hours away for college. While it isn’t far for some, it’s nice to experience new things with new people. If you’re a senior and you have the opportunity to leave town for college, do it. Chances are you won’t look back in a year or two and say “What if I would’ve stayed home for college?” So branch out and make the most of your college experience because you won’t regret it.
