The closer one gets to college the more they hear the chorus of "I can't wait to get out of here," from their peers. After spending so many years in one place and witnessing the good, bad, and ugly of it, it's hard not to want a change of scenery. There's so much to see in the world and not experiencing it if you have the means, is a disservice to yourself. So why not take the opportunity and broaden your horizons.
Going away to college is an emotional experience, one that can lead to the worst bout of homesickness you've ever felt. Believe it or not, this can make you appreciate the things about your home that you never even thought about. The simplest detail to a day to day task can end up being something that you miss more than anything.
Granted, every location has its issues. These issues are more easily spotted in a town that you've spent your life in thus far, not that this makes any of those problems any less. They're still problems.
It's not difficult to get caught up in the bad when that's all you see or hear, but you can't let that cancel out the good things that make a home, well home. Whether it be something as small as the smell of your Mom's home cooking or your favorite pizza place, these small details bring you comfort. Once they're taken away, even for a short amount of time, it becomes apparent that no matter how hard you try you can't replace them with something else. They're one of a kind. Sometimes all it takes is some time away to grow an appreciation for the simple things you took for granted all these years. Distance does, after all, make the heart grow fonder.
