I get it. A lot of people can't go to school out of state or even out of town. I, and many other out of state students, decided to do something completely bold: Leave the state completely.

There's a difference for some out-of-state students, though. I don't mean the students who live in New Hampshire and go to school in Boston or the student who goes to school in Florida and lives just a few hours away in Alabama. I'm talking about the students who go from South Florida to Boston (me) or from Washington to Florida or from Connecticut to Arizona. The drastic leap of faith to leave what you've known your whole life to go to a completely new place with different climates, people, way of life—everything. That's the point, though. to venture off and be your own person. Mom and dad won't always be there for you. Learn things you've never learned before. Experience seasons for the first time. Go to restaurants not available in your state. Notice what makes the residents of that state so prideful.

Although all these things are positive, there are a few things people comment that really grinds an out of state student's gears.

1. "I could never go to school so far away."

I'm well aware that you can't because you didn't. You chose to stay within close region, and that's completely fine. You do you. You know what's best for you and I know what's best for me. There's pros and cons to everything in life.

2. "How did you bring all your things here?"

I hopped on a plane with as much as I could bring along with my mother. I bought the big things in the state I go to school in.

3. "How could you be so far away from your mom?"

My mother is 110 percent supportive of my decision. She knows I would not be happy going to a local or even in-state school. I am her only child, so it is a little tough, but at the end of the day she knows why I chose to go to school so far away and she backs me up on that. Keeping your child hostage will not aid them in any way. The best gift you can give your child is your support and time.

4. "Must suck that you can only go home during breaks."

First semester of my freshman year, yeah, it did suck. I had meltdowns. I'm only human. I was reminded why I chose to go to school so far away and I had people to talk to help me get through those moments. Yes, it was hard to see people go home every weekend and have their parents pick them up so easily because they live right around the corner. I can't jet on a plane whichever weekend I want just because I can. It doesn't work that way. I look forward to going home every break and feeling how cozy my house is. I appreciate it so much more being far away.

5. "You have to pay for storage? That sucks! Oh my god, it's so expensive. I feel sorry for you."

Yes, I do have to pay for storage because that's just how it is. How do I find that money? I work and prioritize my money so that when I return the following school year, my things are in a safe place. I'm aware it's expensive, but that's just how it is and there's nothing I can do about it but accept it.

6."Don't you miss your friends back home?"

Sure, if I had any. (Doesn't apply to all out-of-state students, just me). I could not find a good friend at my high school so I became more independent and would talk to my favorite teachers more than students. I can't exactly be friends with rude, entitled people who have everything handed to them. Oops.

7."Isn't it expensive to go out of state?"

Yeah, it is expensive. My mother is paying an arm and a leg for me to attend my institution. I could've stayed in region and attended an institution free of charge if I were a commuter, but I didn't want to be around the exact same people from high school. It's a lot of money, but I've never been happier.

8."You should've gone to school in state. It would've been so much better for you."

I know what's best for me. I know that I made the right decision, and I'm sorry, but your opinion is irrelevant.

9."Don't you miss your mom's cooking?"

Heck yes I do. Diri kole (rice and beans) with legume is my favorite dish, and Mama sure knows how to make it real good. Thankfully there's a Haitian restaurant just a drive away that can give me that fix. I will always miss home cooked Haitian food, though, no matter what.

There you go. Next time you ask these questions, even if it is out of pure curiosity, do keep in mind how annoying it can be to an out-of-state student. It took a lot to do what we do and comments or questions along those lines just sometimes really becomes discouraging.

Much love from your favorite Floridian,

Guerslande