Whether you attend a large state university or a small private college, going to school out-of-state can be a very rewarding experience. I know that this is not possible for everyone, especially given the rising cost of tuition, but I encourage you to seek out ways to make it happen. Ultimately, college is what you make of it and you can have a positive experience almost anywhere. Nevertheless, given the opportunity, going to college in another state can help you have the best experience possible.

1. You'll meet different types of people

Especially if you haven't had the opportunity to travel a whole lot, going to college in a different state (or better yet, another country) can give you a chance to interact with people you would not normally talk to. Exposure to new perspectives is the best way to "broaden your horizons" which is really what college is all about.

2. You'll learn how to be more independent

Living in a dorm is certainly not the same as living "in the real world" (you still don't have to pay the electric bill, for example) but it's a lot closer than living with your parents (or whoever your primary caregivers are). Mom is no longer there to do your laundry or take care of you when you're sick.

3. You'll gain a second home

Whether you're in a large city or a tiny college town, after a while your new surroundings will start to feel familiar and welcoming. You'll start to feel a connection with your new state as you grow more familiar with it.

4. You'll appreciate your family more

Living apart from the family that raised you can be difficult at first but it will make you appreciate them more when you do get to spend time with them. The adolescent years are typically when children can begin to feel suffocated by their parents and want to establish their own independence. Moving away for college allows you to get out from under mother's wing and ease any possible tension, but at the same time you know you'll always have a family to return to.

5. It will challenge you (in a good way)

Some people adapt to moving away for college easier than others. If you went to a boarding school prior to college, you are already used to being away from home and college may be no big deal. Similarly, if you are a naturally outgoing person perhaps you won't be intimidated by the prospect of meeting an entirely new and different group of people. However, if you are anything like me, a somewhat shy child who has lived in one place for most of her life, then the prospect of moving across the country for college was daunting. However, it taught me that I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and making friends in a new environment.

6. You get to see a new part of the country

Whether you love your home state or abhor it, living in a new state can be fun and informative. You will learn what types of things you take for granted as part of your home environment. It also gives you a chance to scope out a different part of the country in case you decide you want to live somewhere besides your home state after college.

7. You are forced to spend more time on campus

Ok, I know this sounds bad but trust me, its not. The more time you spend on campus and the more involved you are in college life, the more you will get out of it. If you only go to campus to attend class and then leave immediately after, it will be a lot harder to make friends and you won't be able to engage in the various other activities your campus has to offer. Whether you play a sport, write for a paper, work in a lab, or whatever, all of these are learning experiences that can help you decide what you want to do with your life.