When deciding where to go to college, I made the conscious decision to look for schools that were close to home, but not too close. I decided on Culver-Stockton College, which is a small, liberal arts college in rural Canton, Missouri. It's also five hours away from home (four and a half, at the speed I drive). This didn’t seem to be a huge deal at the time, but my thoughts on that have definitely changed in the last two years.
Five hours is a long way away when you’re close to your family. Five hours is a long way when your baby brother turns four and you can’t go home, because you can’t pay for the gas (#brokecollegekidprobs). Five hours is especially long when you’re driving it.
Here are five realizations you have when you go to school close to home, but not too close to home.
1. Driving sucks.
It does. There's no way around it. Everyone else on the road is an idiot and I’m the best driver ever. I’ll eventually write an article titled “10 Phrases You’ll Hear if You Ride in a Car with Me.” But first, I’ll have to think of 10 phrases that don’t include swearing.
2. Although they’re annoying, siblings are nice to have around.
My three younger siblings get on every last nerve of mine, and push every last button. But there’s no avoiding the fact that they understand me like no one else. We have the dumbest inside jokes that we’ve forgotten the origins of.
3. Sometimes it’s nice to have parents around.
In high school, I valued the time I had away from my parents. Nobody telling me what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. After two years of college, I have a lot of experience with uncertainty. I’ve called my parents countless times asking the most ridiculous questions. What do I do if my check engine light comes on? What size trash bags do I buy? How much coffee is too much coffee? Answers: Bring it to a mechanic. Thirteen gallon. No such thing.
4. Life is expensive.
Oh, how I miss the days of my parents paying for everything. Don’t get me wrong, they still help me out with a majority of my expenses, and I am eternally grateful for that. But when I’m at school, I pay for everything I need on a day-to-day basis: toiletries, school supplies and the occasional dinner out. I was appalled the first time I bought razors. My usual 4-pack of razors was $13! I quickly switched to a cheaper, generic brand. I’ve become a lot more conscientious of how much my everyday items cost, and I have gained a greater appreciation for how much my parents did (and continue to do) for me.
5. Nothing is better than coming home.
I love my dorm room. Dorm life is good. I love my roommate and most of my hallmates. But no matter how much I love living independently, nothing is as good as my bed and my room at home. There’s a wonderfully familiar feeling I get every time I sleep in my bed. I get the same feeling when I cuddle up on the couch with my favorite blanket to watch Netflix.
I’m sure most college students would say they love college. I would agree with them; I do love college. I am absolutely sure I made the right choice by picking Culver-Stockton. Like I said, close, but not too close. When I first stepped onto campus on my first visit, I knew I had found my home-away-from-home. But it doesn’t matter how much time I spend there, how many organizations I get involved in or how many friends I make. It will never compare to home.
