Many people have a hard time deciding where they should go to college. Some want to stay home and go to school in-state. There are many benefits to doing so. One, you save money. Two, you’re closer to what you have always known. However, it is those who choose to go out of state for college that benefit the most out of their decision.
1. You don't know anyone.
The biggest benefit you gain from going out of state is starting over with a fresh slate. Going to college in a different state and not knowing anyone really tests your ability to adapt and grow. Forget everything you thought you knew. This is your time to make new friends and don't have to worry about fitting in. College is all about finding you niche in the world. By not knowing anyone, you are forced to get involved. You are forced to talk to people and be sociable. It is here, that you will make the best friends you have ever had in your entire life. You know that these friends like you for you and you don’t have to pretend to be anyone else but yourself. Which is the best kind of you!
2. You appreciate everything you had a little bit more.
Going to school out of state will humble you to say the least. You will start to appreciate everything you had back home. You will miss those mornings where your mom had to turn on your light and yell to get you up and running for school. You will miss your parents being on you about your homework. No one is there to remind you about when you have work to do. You will miss spending time with your family and want it more. You will look forward to breaks because that is your time to go home and soak up everything that you miss! You get to eat at all of your favorite local restaurants because all that’s at school are the big chains. This is one of the big things you will miss the most. Overall, you are going to miss home. However, realize you decided to leave because you wanted more. It will always be home, but it’s not where you want to be the rest of your life. It will always be nice to visit, but you have to make a new home away from home.
3. You will grow more than you could have ever imagined.
You’re 800 or more miles away from home. There is no one there to hold your hand or remind you to do homework. You’re going to run into money problems. You’re going to run into problems with your friends. You’re going to have heartbreak. You’re going to have the best times you’ve ever had. You’re going to meet the perfect boy or girl. You’re going to love certain days and hate the others. All of these things and more are good! Know that your time at college is not going to be perfect. It is nothing like television and the movies make it out to be. By being so far away from home, you have to solve problems on your own. Yes, you can call your mom and dad and talk to your friends, but overall it is you who has to solve the problems you’re facing. You have to balance the time between school, work and fun. You have to work up the courage to walk up to that boy or girl. You will realize that you can do anything you set your mind to and at the same time realize that you can’t do it all and that it is okay to ask for help. The limits are endless and that’s what is the best part. No one is here telling you what to do or what you have to do. You finally get to make your own decisions and figure yourself out. Remember that life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself. And there is no place better for that than college.
College will be the best years of your life. It all depends on what you make of it. The memories you will make here will last a lifetime and you couldn’t be any more thankful for everything college has done for you. The person you entered as is not the person you will leave as. You will realize that everything you thought you knew about yourself, goes right out the window. These are your four years, make the most of it!
