“College is your chance to leave the nest and experience someplace new…”
I remember when I was in high school and looking at colleges, I told myself I would never go to Boise State. That was the university in my hometown and I was determined to “leave my nest”. By my definition, meant I would go out of state to get that feeling I was living the traditional college life we’re so used to seeing on TV and in movies. But here I am, a college freshman at Boise State University, and you know what? I love it.
The idea of going to college in the city where you grow up as a kid in high school feels like a sort of social suicide. The longer I’m at Boise State the more I realize that I don’t want to be anywhere else to experience this time in my life. I live in the dorms just like I would if I was out of state, I stay out late just like I would if I was out of state, and I’m constantly meeting new people and creating new friendships just like I would if I was out of state. Although don’t be deceived, there are some pretty big differences. For example, when my friends and I go out--I know what I’m doing. When you go to school in your hometown, you already know where everything is, and that means you’re the one people will look up to for guidance when you leave campus. I speak from experience when I say that it’s a pretty great feeling to be asked how to get somewhere and right away, you can give directions. It gives you a feeling of belongingness that you don’t get when you’re just one of the many in a mass who isn’t quite sure what’s going on.
Even though you’re a college student and may not want to admit it, you’re going to miss your family (also your dog...probably more so your dog) at some point in the year. Except when you go to school in the same city that your parents live in, rather than laying in bed crying over pictures of your dog, you can just make the short drive to your parents house! My cat is my best friend and I’m not going to lie, if I wasn’t able to drive to my parents house when I wanted to see him I would not be okay. If you chose to live on campus then how much you see your family is up to you. I try to spend good time with my family every week or two and that’s perfect. It allows me to feel like I’m independent but still have the love and support from my family.
Just remember, when you start looking at schools to further your education, never discredit a school just because you grew up in that city. Yes, there are some amazing schools all over the country. Somewhere else in the world, there are students trying to get into that amazing college right in your hometown. Take advantage of living so close!
