Attending school far from home may seem like a dream come true to some students. Crossing state lines not only means a further distance away from home but also a change in lifestyle and perception. Out-of-state students typically have a completely different outlook than some of their in-state friends. Below is a list of some thoughts and confessions that the typical out-of-state student may have after spending a bit of time away from home and on campus.
1. The long drives to and from school are AGONIZING.
I love home and I love school but getting to one place from the other is a special form of torture.
2. Going home for the weekend just isn't possible.
Unless I have a car on campus that I'm willing to drive hours in OR I have tons of money to spend on a train, plane or bus.
3. The word 'tuition' is enough to make my ears bleed
And hearing in-state students complain about the price of tuition is the most infuriating thing ever.
4. It is a BIG deal when my family comes to visit.
They can't just randomly check up on me, but they also can't show up with bags of groceries.
5. Familiar faces are rare.
Unlike in-state students, half of my high school did not come to this school.
6. No, I do not have an accent.
Please do not dissect how I talk.
7. The lingo of this new state is impossible to learn or understand.
I'm always out of the loop when two in-state friends are talking.
8. No one will ever actually know my hometown.
Or county. Or section of the state. I receive a lot of blank stares when you even try and explain.
9. My friends all stayed in state.
Sadly, I can't just drive five minutes to my friends' houses to see them anymore.
10. Since they are all so far, it's difficult to have friends come visit.
Again, this involves long hours of driving or expensive public transportation.
11. My school friends will never be able to visit me at home.
Since most of my school friends live in-state, they will have to face the same struggle to ever visit me over a break.
12. Finding a storage unit is absolutely necessary.
There is no way that I will be stuffing my car to the max to come to move in day ever again.
13. I've never heard of half of the restaurants nearby.
Most of the chains from home are not at school and vice versa. It's sometimes embarrassing.
14. If I'm ever dropped off somewhere out of my school's town, there is a 99% chance that I'll be lost.
In-state students usually know the area well. I, unfortunately, do not.
15. I'll always love my school.
No matter how far away from home I am, I know that I made the right decision.
University is absolutely incredible. Despite the struggles that I face as an out-of-state student, I know that I am happy and content here. Sometimes, though, being so far from home is difficult.
