In middle school, my friends and I all said "Everything in this town is boring, but things will be better when we can drive!" and then we turned sixteen, got our licenses, and realized our town was still boring. Don't get me wrong - as a suburb of Philadelphia, my home town is more exciting than most, but one can only go to the mall, movies, or a hiking trail so many times. Then when we all get to junior year, everybody says they are getting as far away as they can, and end up going to the college fifteen minutes away with the rest of the class. I actually made it out and I'm the only one attending my small college 425 miles away.
I applied to six colleges, three local ones and three out of states. I played with the idea of going to the local ones for a very short time, but I realized I wanted to see more than just my Philly suburb. The first and only out of state college I visited was Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. The seven hour car ride definitely made me cringe and second guess my desire to leave home, but as soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew I was home. Now, as time has gone on, I've faced difficulties because of my decision (travel expenses, not knowing the area or anyone in it), but none of this outweighs the good.
I chose my out of state college because I only have one life, and I know in this life I am meant to explore, wander, and discover. I knew I couldn't do this if I decided to stay home. I'm leaving my dull Philadelphia suburb to go live in the cold, beautiful mountains - something I may have never been able to do if I didn't choose Plymouth. This time in our lives, before we become real adults, is really the only time we can be selfish. We have no family to provide for or no job to upkeep - you can go anywhere, if you really wanted to. I encourage everyone that is thinking of going to a school far away to do it - you have nothing to lose. You will meet people you would have never met, see sights your eyes would have never saw, and explore the unknown.
I am so excited for my next seven hour car ride to Plymouth.
