Are you living or commuting?

This is one of the biggest questions everyone asks in college or while applying to college, and for me, it was a hard decision.

Throughout high school, I was so blurred with the question of whether or not I was to live on campus. Besides the $10,000 cost, there was more going through my head. I have been a homebody since such a small age. I would cry, and cry, and cry...every time I had a sleepover or was away from home for a certain amount of time.

My gut knew that I should commute my first year of college. I was too scared to take a leap into the unknown, leaving my home. Although my college is only 25 minutes away from my house, it is still a big transition. Once school began, I was 100% sure I made the right decision. I loved being able to come home after a long day of class to a home-cooked meal, my own shower, and my big bed. I thought, "Maybe living on campus isn't for me."

But, sure enough, time is passing and I wish I was not living at home. In college, you receive lots of responsibilities no matter if you leave home or not. I take 5 classes, I am in 2 clubs, I have 2 jobs, and I am a writer for Odyssey! I am completely able to manage my schedule, but I sense that if I was on my own, I would be able to do it more efficiently, with less stress and pressure.

At home, there are so many distractions. My mom is asking me questions, I am being pressed every day with "Did you finish your paper? Did you do your math homework?" and it bothers me beyond belief. Yes, I live under your roof. Yes, I do know that you just care. But I am 18 years-old, and I can manage my responsibilities by myself.

The worst is when I work too many days during the week and I am lectured about how "easy" it is to fail college and how I need to focus on solely my school work. Please just let me do my thing. I promise I will be okay.

But I started to learn many of the perks I could have had if I stayed at school.

I could go about my day, on my own schedule and calendar and literally do whatever I want, whenever I want. I do not have to worry about driving 25 minutes back and forth to school every day. And the best part, I could lay in a bed between my classes...wow.

College is very expensive especially when you live on campus. However, I believe that you are not paying to just "live on campus." You are paying for a new chapter of your life. You are paying for a free self and an independent self.

Months ago I never, ever thought I would be ready to leave the comfort of my home, but now, I can not wait to be independent.