Moving ten hours away from home to college is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It has also been the most fulfilling experience so far in my 18 years on this planet. I have grown so much as a person since the big move, and I can not wait to see where this journey will take me.
1. You will have better relationships with members of the family.
Believe it or not, my relationships at home have become stronger with the distance. When you spend months at a time away from your family, fighting and arguing will not be at the top of everyone's list. Moments spent at home are not wasted on bickering, but rather on enjoying the limited days with one another. Haven't you ever heard the saying "distance makes the heart grow fonder?"
2. The chores do not do themselves.
It would be nice to be able to snap my fingers to make the bed, but that is most definitely not reality. One of the biggest things I have learned from moving away is that I have to keep my space clean. Mom is not there to pick up after me, and I also can not blame the mess on my sibling. Keeping your space clean is a sign of maturity and responsibility, although this is something that I struggle with on a daily basis (do I really have to clean those dishes?)
3. Free is good. No, it's great! Frugality is necessary for survival.
I never thought that I would be so excited to receive free cups, pens and just really anything. When your bank account is in the single digits, those stickers become a lot more appealing, and you may or may not have to start extreme couponing just to get by for the week. Did someone say free food?
4. Timing is everything.
A very important habit that I had to learn quickly is scheduling. I have to wake myself up, eat breakfast, go to classes, somehow fit a nap in (obviously), and finish five essays in a single day. The struggle is real when it comes to setting yourself on a schedule. Many days I still stay up to 3 a.m. watching Netflix, but that's beside the point. The point is, keeping a schedule is vital to success in college. Yes, you can still have fun and maintain your grade. Everything in moderation right?
5. No one can tell you what to do.
Freedom seems very appealing living under your parents' roof. When you finally leave home and are set loose, things do not seem as great as it looked before. Freedom is more than staying out as late as you want and taking random road trips with your friends. Don't get me wrong, these are fun things to do but when it's time to make doctors appointments or take your car in for an oil change, it is all on you. Freedom is taking care of yourself and making decisions that will affect you.
