Stay Home or Go To College
Start writing a post
Student Life

Staying Home For College Is Not As Easy As Everyone Makes It Sound

This decision doesn't define you or your future.

171
<a style="background-color:black;color:white;text-decoration:none;padding:4px 6px;font-family:-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.2;display:inline-block;border-radius:3px" href="https://unsplash.com/@scottwebb?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=photographer-credit&utm_content=creditBadge" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Download free do whatever you want high-resolution photos from Scott Webb"><span style="display:inline-block;padding:2px 3px"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="height:12px;width:auto;position:relative;vertical-align:middle;top:-2px;fill:white" viewBox="0 0 32 32"><title>unsplash-logo</title><path d="M10 9V0h12v9H10zm12 5h10v18H0V14h10v9h12v-9z"></path></svg></span><span style="display:inline-block;padding:2px 3px">Scott Webb</span></a>

My experiences and feelings about still living in my hometown -- Still living in my hometown sucks. Not just because I haven't been able to leave and start my life somewhere else. Everyone is still in their own cliques from high school & I cannot seem to make friends. I talk to people, make friends at work, and classes, but no one is willing to become close enough to choose to hang out. I don't want to complain because my life is great. I have a loving happy relationship with my boyfriend, an apartment with him, and two beautiful cats. Sometime's it still gets lonely.

Something I will feel upset about until there is no longer is distance is that my absolute best friend lives the farthest away. She brings out the best in me, supports me, loves me like we are sisters. She is out in the world getting the education she wants, making friends, and getting so many experiences. I mean, so am I, but it is different. I haven't been able to get the college dorm experience or being forced to make friends because I don't know anyone. I am in a town that I cannot wait to escape with my little family. I cannot wait to move somewhere even if it is 20 miles down the road. Something about change makes my mind at ease.

Moving out has been a good change but I hope the sense of change, and always wanting to move ceases when I get older. I know I won't always want to be on the move. I know I will want to settle down, buy a house, and become a work-a-holic. Maybe have a few kids.

My best friend gets to go off where she wanted to go to school. Now, I know she has thought about coming home, but she is strong and has stayed where she is. Maybe I envy her, for being able to move hundreds of miles away from home. Maybe, at the end of the day, I don't actually like the life I am living. Maybe, I am looking for something bigger.

Recently I have realized, every action and decision we have made has put us where we are today. Every action and decision we will make will put us where we will be in the future. Just because your life is different or because you may wish for that college experience that you seem to be missing does not mean that what you are experiencing now is not worthy. Embrace what you are doing right now. You are doing what is best for you. Don't take what you have for granted. Yes, you may become jealous of those in college that don't have to worry about bills, how many hours they work, or are thriving. Social media shows the highlight reels of other's lives, people show what they want to show. Love your life, prosper, learn, and thrive. Don't always wish something was different, because then you will lose the experience and memories you are living through right now.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

92597
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

71030
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments