What comes to mind when you think about college? You might be thinking, parties, lectures, the campus, greek life, and living in a dorm. Dorming is something that most students look forward to when they make the decision to go away to college. It is a time to be away from your parents and discover yourself. It is also an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone by being in a place that you aren't familiar with, living with people you don't know too well, and having to adjust to pretty much living on your own. It's your first taste of independence and for me, going away to college was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

In my senior year of high school, I initially made the decision to stay home for college. Why? I didn't want to be away from my family and friends, I didn't think I could afford it, and most of all, I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone. Just when I thought that I was going to stay home and go to a college near my hometown, I made the impulse decision to go away to college.

Thankfully, the college I went to wasn't far away from home so I could go back on weekends whenever I needed to. However, it was far enough away for me to learn what it is like to be on my own. Going away to college helped me to become more responsible and independent. Before I would rely on my parents for everything from dinner to doing laundry and now I had to learn to do everything myself. Once I got adjusted to living in a dorm and learning to live on my own, it was easier for me to transition into living in an apartment when I graduated college.

I am very glad that I had the opportunity to live on campus. I got to experience so much of what my college had to offer that I wouldn't have experienced if I had stayed home. If you are debating about whether or not you should go away to school, my suggestion is to weigh your options carefully. Think about what will be better for you in the long term. Going away to college and living on campus is not for everyone but it is an experience that I would highly recommend if it is an option for you.