Congratulations! You’re about to embark on one of the most difficult academic endeavors of your life; scary, but completely worth it. Something that I’ve recently discovered is how much I’ve learned at school, beyond the books.

I moved four hours away from home to an even more rural town without a car (initially). I was totally scared and I had a conversation with my dad about it that I will never forget: Dad: "At some point the baby chicks have to jump out of the tree to learn how to fly." Me: "Hopefully we don't find out I'm a penguin"! I lived on campus in a dorm with three other people. Boy was that a wild ride! I had never lived with anyone besides my family so this was an eye opener. Who knew it would be such an adjustment, I’m sure from all perspectives.

I suddenly had to do my own grocery shopping. I couldn’t afford cheese; let me tell you that was a struggle! I had to say no to fun activities that I still wish I could have gone to. Eventually I found a job that worked with my school schedule, and I was able to buy cheese again. Yay!

The reality is that I did go into debt for this. Student loans helped to pay for my housing along with academics. I’m in denial about how much money I will have to start paying a year from now, but I also know it is worth it. I have learned how to budget my money. Turns out, there isn’t much of a difference between store brand and name brand items at the grocery store. I’ve learned how to prioritize expenditures. Obviously rent, gas for my car, bills, all of these things come before attending concerts. If I had stayed home I wouldn’t have been forced to pay rent or buy my own groceries. My income would come down to prioritizing books and gas for my car. Beyond that it would be savings account and fun money. When I finally moved out, I would be completely shell-shocked at the financial cripple that life is.

I also made friends. Lifelong ones. I was under the impression that my friends I had had in high school would last forever. Four years later, I have a handful that I talk to on a regular basis. This I realize is more than the average person. I have however made friends with people from across the country, across the world that I know I will continue to maintain contact with. Living on campus and away from home has forced me to get out of my comfort zone. If I had made the decision to attend the university near my hometown and lived at home, I wouldn’t have done so. I would have had to force myself to attend activities that forced me to meet new people. At eighteen I was still too self-conscious about myself to feel comfortable doing that. Moving out, attending freshman orientation, I realized that there was a massive group of students in my same situation. We all felt some level of awkward together.

I’ve also become my independent, authentic self. This is something that many people struggle with at every age. I realize I am continually changing and molding myself as time goes on and I experience new things. However, I feel more comfortable with myself, and more confident than I would have if I had stayed home.

So, yes, I’m in debt. It will take a long time to pay off my student loans. Moving out made that more difficult. Personally, I know I would not be as far ahead as I am now if I had stayed home. I have learned valuable lessons in responsibility, being accountable for myself, becoming independent, and learning the meaning of self-efficacy. I’ve also gained friends that aren’t friends. They’re family. I’ve lived with them, been homesick with them, and they’ve put up with my crazy and me. For those of you who have chosen to stay home and attend college, I’m sure you are experiencing your own unique set of struggles and lessons that I lucked out on. Kudos to you!

I fully advocate for moving out. Experience independence and a little slap in the face from life. I promise it will serve you well in the future. College is the last little safety net you have in life. Take advantage of it!