Many high school seniors are currently worrying about making the right college decision. There are certain things to consider when making this choice. Some of these things may be the size of the college, the majors offered and, in this case, the distance from home. Here are some advantages I've found in going to school close to home that may help those decisions.
1. Quick, easy trips back home.
I have fallen in love with the idea that I can make a trip home whenever I really want or need to. It's been convenient to just run home during the day if I need something I left at home. As much as I like to drive, I get carsick really easily, so I hate wasting so much time in the car if I'm not the one driving. I love that travel can get done within a day, so I'm not wasting time driving when I could be doing something productive.
2. Family time can be more frequent.
With being close, it means that you can visit your family or they can come visit you pretty often. For me, I've tried not to rely on going home as much just because I have a car and it's a short distance. However, sometimes you just need some retail therapy with your mom because you've had a rough week, or you need a playdate with your niece who is growing up so quickly, or you want to be there for special events during your sister's senior year. I love that I don't have to miss out on things like that.
3. More people from your hometown probably go there.
For many people who attend a college close to home, they have a lot of friends or people from their area that attend. It's nice seeing familiar faces on campus every now and then, even if you aren't good friends. In my situation, none of my close friends came to Tech, so I was encouraged to branch out and make friends that weren't from my hometown. I've really learned to appreciate that as well.
4. Far enough away, but with a new environment.
A lot of people look down on attending a college nearby because they think that you're staying in the same place and are not getting a new experience out of it. For me, I have found that even 45 minutes away can be enough of a change. Even if you stay within your hometown, you are putting yourself in a new environment, which can mean new places, new people and, sometimes, a new you. A new environment can shape who you become during your time there, so I don't really believe that you can truly remain in the exact same environment just by going to a college close to home.
Whether you choose to go far away or close to home, it is important to think about what you value and what you want out of the school you choose when making your college decision. It's different for everyone. I have learned to appreciate being close to home for these reasons above. It has allowed me to see my family more often, make quick day trips home, stay in touch with friends that go to my college from home and adapt to a new environment. Hopefully, this makes the college search for high school seniors a little bit easier.
