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8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Driving 8+ Hours To School

Going to college far away sounds fun. Until you forget a thing or two.

taylorkinnell30

Sep 11, 2018

The University of Alabama

8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Driving 8+ Hours To School

Taylor Kinnell

Moving from Texas to Alabama I thought was going to have nothing but sunshine and rainbows. Don't get me wrong, I love my school and wouldn't trade it for anything. But there are just a couple of things I had no idea about or just wished that someone told me before I left. With that being said, here are eight things I wish I knew before driving eight hours to my school.

Three day weekends are kinda awkward

When you live far away from your school, it's nearly impossible to just take a quick trip home. But it feels weird because, during any three day weekend, the whole campus is dead. Everyone else has gone home, gone to the lake, or wherever else locals might go. With that being said, the only option on a free weekend is to stay in your dorm or find someone on campus who lives close and go home with them.

You will always be doing laundy

Unlike my roommates who live 45 minutes from campus, I don't have that option. They can leisurely go home and have their parents do their laundry anytime. I am constantly doing my laundry at school. The day I go back home and I have my mom do by laundry will be a day better than Christmas.

Your'e gonna miss the heck out of your pet

I honestly can't even remember the last time I saw a dog. If you're like me, you will do anything for my pet. Every day I consider making the eight-hour drive just to see my dog again. Yes, I miss my parents, my hometown friends, all that. But the bond between me and my dog is something special.

Forgot something at home? You'll be seeing it again in three months.

Forgot your favorite shirt at home? Or how about your laptop charger? You'd be better off buying a new one or just finding a way to live without it. It's honestly such a hassle trying to get something shipped all the way to your school. When something does get shipped, you have to wait anxiously for it to come, go pick it up, and sometimes when there's miscommunication with your mom, you realize she sent the wrong shirt, and you have to repeat the process again.

FaceTime calls with your friends are CRUCIAL

Every night you can catch me face timing someone from home. FaceTime is the closest thing to personal interaction. Seeing your best friend from home or even your parent is such a relief after you've had a hard week or if you just really miss them. FaceTime has indeed become my best friend.

Your dorm room will become your favorite place

Though your new college town if officially your "home away from home," your dorm room is so much more. Your room is the one place on campus where you can make it yours. My room has my state everywhere as well as pictures from my friends back home. Your dorm room in also the one place where you can go in and actually feel like you're at home for a while.

Long breaks are you best friend

I have a huge heart for long breaks. Winter and summer specifically. These are special times where you can go home and actually relax. There's time to catch up, see old friends and family, and most importantly just enjoy the time you have being at home again. The best part is being able to fly back and not drive.

You really will miss your family

Yes, college is fun and exciting, but when everything slows down, you realize you're missing something. Nothing will ever be able to replace the warmth of your family. The first time you do go back and see them will be when you realize, "Wow. I actually did miss these people."

Like I said, I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything in the world! But as much as I do love it, there are just some things I miss about my other home that this home could never fulfill. So never limit yourself to a school because of distance, or you may not ever find your home away from home!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Driving 8+ Hours To School

Going to college far away sounds fun. Until you forget a thing or two.

Three day weekends are kinda awkward

You will always be doing laundy

Your'e gonna miss the heck out of your pet

Forgot something at home? You'll be seeing it again in three months.

FaceTime calls with your friends are CRUCIAL

Your dorm room will become your favorite place

Long breaks are you best friend

You really will miss your family

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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