I have lived in Georgia my whole life. I went to the same people and saw the same places and when it was time to choose my college in senior year I knew I wanted to try something different, I just didn't know where. After a lot of talking and research, I decided on my college...in Illinois.

A lot of people asked all of the same old questions: " Why so far?" "Won't you miss your family?" "How are you going to get around?" "Are you sure?"

Yes. I was and still am sure.

I am not saying everyone should move hundreds of miles away from home, that isn't for everyone. College isn't for everyone and that's ok. But, if you have that urge to go to school farther from home I strongly encourage it. There are so many benefits to it that will help you further in the future.

For one, it has helped me with my independence. I am the one who buys my groceries and I do my own laundry. I do chores to keep my space clean. I still rely on family for some of my bills, but I am growing in my independence to one day do that by myself, possibly before I even graduate.

It also helps me gain connections, which is especially important in my field of study, Musical Theatre. I am surrounded by people with the same interests who also know people in our field that could one day get me a job that would last a lifetime.

I now get to explore! My school is only a train ride from Chicago so I am able to go to tons of places around the city. The amount of museums and theatres in Chicago is very appealing to me which always makes me want to take a train ride on the weekend.

I'm in a place with different ideas. I get to explore different ways of thinking and discover things about myself I would never have if I had not taken the chance of moving far away. My family's ideals are not the only ones in the world and I got the chance to see that this past year.

Moving so far away makes the time that I do have at home all the more special. I knew people that came home perhaps every other weekend. In the previous school year, I was able to go home for Christmas and Spring Break. I jammed that time with family and friends because I wanted to get the most out of catching up.

Of course, I was homesick a lot. And I had my freak outs now and then with the occasional (almost always) asking for directions. But I am very glad I decided to move over 900 miles away. I'm able to get experiences and training I do not feel I would have gotten if I had stayed in Georgia. While it might not be for everyone, if you feel like a school far away from home might be a good thing I would consider it. You never know how it could change you.