The whole education process is messy. It's stressful. It's aggravating. When I was deciding which schools to apply to a year ago, there were myriad of traits to consider. My high school counselor made us do countless surveys and list our preferences from least to greatest.

Location.

Diversity.

Cost.

Academics.

Financial Aid.

Athletics

Cost.

Class size.

Prestige.

Did I mention cost?

The price of a school is often the deciding factor in attending a certain university or college. In fact, a major factor in why I chose Emory was because of the financial aid package I received.

I understand that attending an in-state school is the best option for some people. However, an out-of-state school provides opportunities and experiences that you might not find at home. After a month of living in a dorm, I realized a handful of benefits.

1. It's a fresh start.

One of the pros of moving to a new place is the chance to start anew. No one knows how you dropped your tray in the cafeteria on the first day of school or when you cried all the day in KG. You can reinvent yourself. No one knows what you like to do and that gives you the chance to explore. In high school, I was always told to join clubs that involved writing. In college, I joined the American Sign Language club. It was a fun way to meet people and develop a valuable skill.

2. You will meet new people.

If diversity is something you crave, then going out-of-state is a great option. Leaving your home state inevitably guarantees that you will meet new people. Being away from the familiar, like your friends and family, is also great incentive to make new friends. I found myself extra talkative with my dorm neighbors and other students in my class.

3. You will learn new things about yourself.

I was a chatty person in elementary school. My motor mouth was a perpetual topic during parent-teacher conferences. Nonetheless, I was surprised at how chatty I was with my dorm neighbors. I often left the door ajar so people would stop by and say hello. As an introvert, I don't open up to new people easily, but as my dorm was my new home, I subconsciously began to treat it that way. I never thought I would end up eating dinner with six different people in one weeknight!

4. You will become more independent.

Moving away from home was the most daunting concern for me. For months I wondered how I would manage classes, clubs, eating, exercising, and work while being in a new place. I would be in charge of my own decisions. If I had stayed in-state, I would commute to school and continue to rely on my parents. Instead of entering a new stage of my life, I would be slightly altering my high school experience. When the time comes to really be on your own, it won't be a big shift.

5. You get to explore a new place.

I love to travel. Being at home at the time is stifling for me. It seems scary to transplant yourself in the unfamiliar, the but risk is part of the adventure! A new city is full of undiscovered (at least for you) areas that you can learn to love.

I worried about moving out and attending Emory way too much over the summer. Now that I'm here, I'm surprised by how much easier the whole process happened to be. For all you rising seniors, if you have the chance to attend an out-of state school, do NOT mark it off instantly. You don't know what's in store for you unless you explore.