Beginning my freshman year of college, mixed feelings spurred inside of me at the thought of two of the things I dreaded: staying local and living at home. Being 18, I thought that coming of the age meant becoming more grown up about living life with more freedom. I came to realize that staying local and living at home doesn’t stop me from maturing and growing to the person I’m becoming, but shapes me more into the person I want myself to be. Here’s why.

1. Save money on dorm fees

Despite the frustration I had in the beginning of the school year when my parents told me it would be better economically if I lived at home, I understand now why my parents made the decision they did. College is expensive, no matter where you go, and saving those thousands of dollars will eventually make its way to the university you attend the next year for tuition. In high school, I was stuck in the mindset that attending college was the expectation of the “dorm” life, that the only way you had fun was being on campus but I’ve learned it’s what you do with the time you are on campus that counts.

2. Personal space

Dorming allows you to meet new friends and fellow students, an opportunity I would gladly take, but staying at home allowed me to keep my two rooms-in-one bedroom and have the privacy I need on those Friday nights where I all I want to be is by myself watching "Friends" re-runs.

3. There’s always food at home

I don’t know where I would be without home-cooked meals from my Mom and my Dad’s “Chef’s Special” Ichiban noodles. I’m gradually making my transition into being more self-sufficient when it comes to making my own lunches and cooking and when I do I’ll be more comfortable moving away. I’m not complaining about the money I save on groceries and the already packed lunches my Mom makes me and if I do choose to move away in a few years, it will definitely be missed. I much rather spend my money on experiences than the food I need in my fridge to survive.

4. Kept what was close to my heart close to me

If I were to move away from home, I would be leaving my little graduation present from my Grandpa, my baby Remi. She was given to me on the Fourth of July last year as a present, with her back story being sold in front of Wal-Mart, my Grandpa picked her up. She has been my heart and soul, she has given me every reason to come home every day after a long commute with a big smile on my face. My dogs are really my best friends, always running up to me when I get home as if I’ve been gone for so long. I have so much connection with my dogs, with Remi, that I would have to take her with me wherever I go when I move.

5. No homesickness

No matter what happens in life, my family will always be a big part of my life. Leaving home at 18 to be off on my own would’ve been so different for me, as I was raised being given freedom but also watched over by my parents. No matter how sick I get of staying in the place I’m accustomed, I wouldn’t change anything about where I grew up. My Mom and I talk every day even if I’m only gone a few hours and not being able to have someone to come home to when I need someone in this transition of college would have been so difficult for me.

6. Got involved on campus

Being a commuter, it was more difficult meeting new people as my new friends came from the classes I had. Two of my friends Chavely Avendano and Leah Talyansky inspired me to apply to be a writer for Odyssey and they have remained my inspiration to keep pursuing my passions of writing. I’ve also applied for the Victoria’s Secret PINK Street Team and was chosen this year. I had such a great experience meeting girls on campus who shared my drive and determination of promoting the brand while interacting with other students on campus through events and giveaways. I was challenged to make friends in my classes and look for things I was interested that led me to such great friends and opportunities my first year of college.

7. My first job

My first year of college gave me my first job ever. I am a current sales associate for Victoria’s Secret PINK and it has taught me so much about the workforce and saving money and I wouldn’t have been able to learn that if I had to worry about making payments for rent. I save more than half of my paychecks and put it in my savings and have definitely learned the value of money through working. Starting off minimum wage then getting a raise of fifty cents, an hour of work is one lunch meal with friends. I am able to spend money on the things I want whether it be concert tickets or indulging in makeup at Sephora. I’ve saved so much and am proud of myself for taking another step to adulthood.

8. A transitional period

The past months that I’ve started my freshman year of college has taught me so much about life and what it means to grow. I’m not the same person I was last year nor will I be the same a year from now. But with every day that goes by, I am a step closer to that day where I will be packing up to move out of the house that I came to know as my home, my foundation. My freshman year of college has slowly eased me into what I will expect in my adult life and every individual has there own way of growing up. My way is like the way I learned to swim, by gradually learning each stroke with an instructor before swimming in the depths of the unknown water myself, trying to stay afloat.

Living at home my first year of college had its upsides and downsides but if I chose to dwell on the life I wish I lived, everything I could be taking of advantage would pass me by without me noticing. One day I’ll find myself writing about what moving out taught me about life, but for now the reasons to stay close to home is enough for me to be content with what I have in front of me.