I know the feeling: college acceptance letters are coming in and it's time to make a decision. There are so many things to consider: price, quality of education, major, university size, reputation, etc. But one of the most common factors high school seniors base their college decision on is its proximity to their homes. After living in the same town for most of your life, I know firsthand how exciting it sounds to move across the country and start over. Maybe it's your dream to live in New York City, or be close to the beach, but don't base your college decision on this one factor. By focusing so intently on location, you may be overlooking some great options nearby. I personally hated the idea of attending college just a town over, but ultimately it was the best decision I could've made. Below are just a few of the times I've come to appreciate attending college close to home:
1. During move-in.
Moving into college for the first time was an ordeal in itself, but having the security of living close to home lessened the pressure to meticulously pack everything. Yes, I wanted to pack every last thing I needed, but at the same time, if I forgot something my parents could easily come by and drop it off. This actually happened a lot more often than I thought it would. While the things my parents dropped off weren't necessarily essentials, it helped me feel a lot more comfortable and secure during my transition into college. Conversely, a huge mistake a lot of freshman make is overpacking. I definitely overpacked in certain departments while neglecting others. I was glad my parents were able to come by and bring home all the things I didn't need, otherwise my room would be overflowing with junk by now.
2. When you're having a bad day (or week).
It happens to the best of us. Whether it's built up stress, anxiety over grades, or issues with friends, we all need some time to ourselves. Even though your roommate is always happy to lend a shoulder to cry on (shoutout to Julia), the best cure for these short bouts of depression is going home. There's something about sleeping in your old bed, eating your mother's cooking, and petting your dog that relieves all the pent up emotions from school.
3. When your new friends don't know the area very well.
If you go to school close to home, chances are you're pretty familiar with the area. You know the best places to grab coffee, and can always offer up advice on where to eat. It's a lot of fun bringing your new friends to your favorite nearby places, and showing them where you grew up, as well.
4. When you want to take part in family traditions.
Family time is invaluable. Whether it's celebrating your sister's birthday or decorating the Christmas tree, you wouldn't want to miss it for the world. Yes, it's essential to devote time to your new friends, but going home to spend time with family is equally important.
5. When you run out of quarters.
I've never appreciated being close to home more than when my quarters are dwindling. Besides getting to do laundry for free, there's no pressure to take your clothes out of the machine the exact second they're done. And sometimes, if you're lucky, your mom will take pity and do your laundry for you.
6. When you need to drive somewhere.
One of things I miss most when I'm at college is driving. Luckily, when you're close to home you can borrow the car whenever you need it (as long as your parents are OK with it, of course). Parking passes can be pricey and oftentimes not even worth it if you're not going to be driving every day. I don't go to school in a very walkable city and transportation is sometimes limited, so in situations like these I'm grateful to be close enough to home that I can grab the car when I need it.
7. When you want to hang out with your dog.
...or cat, fish, turtle, bunny, etc. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Our pets are our BFFs; they listen to our problems and are always happy to see us.
8. When you're sick.
When you're sick, it's a huge comfort knowing you can go home if you want. Plus, by doing so, you could be saving your friends and roommate from a lot of suffering. Colds and stomach bugs spread like wildfire when you're all living in such close quarters, so it's pretty valuable to have the option to remove yourself from the scene. Also, it's a lot easier to let the sickness carry out its course at home, where you don't need to worry about keeping your roommate up all night with your coughing and sniffling.
9. When you want to see your friends from home.
Since you live so close, you can easily go home to see your friends, or your friends can come over to your dorm to see you! Personally, it's been so fun having my high school friends over. They can meet your new college friends, see your campus, and even go to a school hockey game with you!
10. When you want to do a summer internship or summer classes.
Universities offer so many different internships, co-ops, and job opportunities over the summer. If you don't live close enough to commute, it can become difficult to accept these positions because of pricey summer housing or other inconveniences. Yes, there are ways to make it work, but living close to your school alleviates the stress of figuring it out.
I know firsthand how amazing it sounds to live in your dream city -- I almost moved across the country to do just that! But at the end of the day, opening myself up to the options nearby allowed me to discover an incredible education, amazing friends, and a semester full of more adventures than I thought possible.
