7 reasons why going to an out-of-state college was the best decision of my life
As I flipped through college guide books, I dog-eared those schools I knew people from my hometown typically gravitated towards.
But the more I thought it over, the less sure I was that I wanted to follow suit.
So I chose greener pastures (literally), and enrolled in a school in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, five hours away from my hometown.
Going to a college outside of my comfort zone was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. But it was also one of the best.
1. I learned to be independent.
When homesickness set in during my first couple of months at school, I learned to persevere without the aid of my parents. Instead, I turned to friends in my dorm. If I had been closer to home, I most likely would have been home every weekend.
2. I'm better off financially
Had I gone to school within my comfort zone, aka New York City, my wallet would have been hurting. While I do have to pay out-of-state tuition, it's still almost half the cost of many popular schools near my home, such as NYU. My apartment at school also only costs $450, while rent in NYC would easily be double that.
3. I was exposed to a different culture
Going to school below the Mason-Dixon line can be wacky at times. My school is two hours from the nearest cities, Richmond and D.C. That means that I'm in a largely rural environment, which is so different than the concrete jungle I grew up in. I've learned to embrace a slower pace of life, and not be wary of friendly people. I've even picked up saying "y'all," much to the chagrin of my friends at home.
4. I gained a new appreciation for my home
Growing up, I took a lot of things about my hometown for granted, like the proximity to New York City and the Jersey Shore. Now, I look forward to coming home, and really appreciate the small things I never used to notice. I'm not sure this would be the case had I gone to a closer college.
5. I discovered new interests
Who knew that I loved hiking? I sure didn't, at least not until I was mere minutes away from the gorgeous hikes in the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
6. I was able to start over
My hometown is a bit of a bubble. Most of the kids from my high school came to class dressed like it was a fashion show, but things at my college are a bit different. There is less emphasis on what a person is wearing and more on who the person is. It was refreshing to meet people who challenged the bubble I had grown up in.
