When I first announced that I would be going to school just 25 minutes away from my high school, people thought I was mental. "Don't you want to get away?" "Don't you want to explore a new city?" "Do you really want your parents to be able to come and surprise you on campus whenever they please?" I had heard it all. But the truth is, I am so happy with my decision.

At first, I really considered those questions. I asked myself if I really wanted to be a short car ride away from home. I even considered being a plane ride away, for a while. But when it came time to make my decision, I pictured myself a plane ride away. A new city I was unfamiliar with, at a school where I didn't know anyone, with my only nearby contact being a family friend I only kind of knew? No thanks.

I had to remind myself that everyone's different. I couldn't base my college decision on the fact that I had friends that were willing to go to school 2,000 miles away, or even in a different country. Because the truth is, I used to cry every morning of kindergarten at the thought of going seven hours without seeing my mom. Although that eventually went away, did I really think I could handle being seven plus hours of travel away from her, for semesters at a time?

The truth of the matter is, there are more perks of going to school close to home than not. Although I could think of endless reasons for why this reigns true, here are my top 10.

1. Eating homecooked meals

Sure, you might not mind the dining hall food just a couple weeks in, but soon enough, your taste buds and your immune system will be begging for mom's homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

2. Doing laundry for free

It seems like it will be a piece of cake, but as soon as your whites turn pink for the first time, you'll be begging your mom to be doing your laundry for you again. Not to mention free laundry trumps $1.50 a load any day.

3. Seeing your dog whenever you feel lonely

Honestly, I miss my dog a lot. I never really thought about how much I would miss our snuggles until I started having to make a pillow suffice. I can't imagine not seeing my dog for a full five months. Would he even recognize me?

4. Being able to drive your own car on occasion

Sure, I know people on campus that have cars that I can borrow, but nothing feels better than driving your own car. Sometimes when I go home, I take it out for a spin, just for old times sake--mostly because I can.

5. Being able to sleep in your own bed whenever you want

Although my college twin bed is more comfortable than I expected (thank you, egg-crate mattress pad), I love going home and taking a snooze in my queen pillow-top.

6. Knowing the city (restaurants, hotspots, directions)

I thought it would be annoying, people asking me all about the city, but I actually kind of like it. I feel like an expert, almost like I know something that people don't. It's oddly satisfying but also extremely helpful--for me and for others.

7. Being able to visit the old high school when you feel sentimental

I personally loved my high school. I love that it's driving distance from my campus. If I ever need a little TLC, I know that it's an option--which is extremely assuring and warms my heart.

8. Friends can visit you when they are home on break

If these were in order, this would probably be pretty high up there. I can't wait for my friends who go to school out of state to come home on their breaks so that they can visit me. They don't have to go very far, and they already know their way around campus--it's a win-win.

9. Being able to go to your own doctor when you are sick

Not that I get sick very often, but I do know it will happen. When it does, I know I will really enjoy being able to see my own doctor, rather than some aspiring nursing student at my school's clinic.

10. Forgetting things from home doesn't require a shipment

I have a lot of friends that are always anxiously awaiting packages from home, full of items they forgot to pack. The nice thing is, anything that I need can easily be dropped off curbside, at my dorm, in 30 minutes tops (thanks Mom).

The list honestly goes on and on. My point being: sure, going away from home is nice and all, but there's something about familiarity. Knowing people on campus because they are also from the city, knowing your way around, knowing that your parents are close enough--just in case. It's not just about the convenience, it really is a nice amenity of sorts--a comfort factor, if you will.

I'm not saying all of this to discourage people from going to school away from home, that's not what I'm suggesting or insinuating at all. My only motive is simply to remind people that going to school close to home is not the end of the world, it's actually quite the contrary. And sure, we're only four weeks in and yes, my opinion may change, but I can honestly say, I wouldn't trade these past four weeks for the world.