Coming from a town that is longer than an hour's drive from your college causes you to have a different experience than other college students who are from the area. There are many benefits and drawbacks to being far away from home. Here are just a few of the many that can affect your college career.

Pros:

More freedom

Growing up, your parents gave you more and more responsibilities. But when you go away to college and are far away from them, you have more freedom to do whatever you want.

Getting away from high school drama

Everyone can agree high school is full of pointless drama that can make school difficult. But increasing your distance from high school and those from it, can make your life less drama filled.

Distance from your family

It is sad leaving your family, but it is also nice to get away sometimes. Although you do love them, it can get annoying to have them asking you questions and interrogating you all the time.

Change in setting

Going to college far from home, you get to experience a new area with a new atmosphere. This can help you become more comfortable with change and maybe influence what you want to do in the future.

It causes you to mature more

Not having your parents around to baby you all the time forces you to become more like an adult.

Cons:

Feeling like you are vacationing when you go home

Going home is always exciting, but because it can’t be for very long, it is a weird feeling. Although your family knows you, sometimes you feel like a stranger who is living out of a suitcase.

Far away from family

Growing up with a close family, I understand the struggles of being away from your family. Not only are you used to seeing them everyday, but it is also hard to be far away from your support system.

Far away from friends

It is just as hard leaving your friends as leaving your family. For some, your friends are like your family and although you will make new friends, it is hard to find ones to replace them.

Leaving your pets

If you have a pet, you understand how hard it is to leave your furry companion at home. They are just as important as anyone else from your childhood and it is hard not having them around to cuddle with.

Getting homesick is harder to deal with

When you go off to college, getting homesick is always hard, but it is especially hard when you realize that you are far away.