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Student Life

It’s Okay to Stay in your Hometown for College, I Promise

Making the decsion to stay where you are for college was the best thing for me

Chloe Elena Stirling

May 11, 2016

Hardin-Simmons University

It’s Okay to Stay in your Hometown for College, I Promise

Hardin-Simmons University campus

I’m a small town girl from west Texas and a junior in college. My hometown feels smaller than it actually is sometimes, but we do have three private universities located here. I chose not to leave and attend college at Hardin-Simmons and let me tell you, it's okay not to leave and it's okay to like it. Here are five reasons why:

1.Home-cooked meals are readily available

My momma and daddy might be some of the best cooks around and are always making up my favorite meals bringing me home for a while. It has also been a plus to watch my mom and learn how to make some of my favorite dishes to start making for my friends. Food is what often brings us together as a family and I am forever thankful that I have been able to continue to share these moments with both of my parents.

2. Quality family time is rarely missed

It is so nice being able to have weekly dinners, Mother-Daughter pedicure dates, lunches with grandma and grandpa, and camping trips with dad. I know getting away and leaving your hometown is a priority for many of my peers, but I have my whole life ahead of me. I love, love, love these precious memories I’m making with my parents and grandparents right now and will not regret being in my hometown for four more years.

3. Being the go-to person when it comes to places to go and eat

Although Abilene might not be the biggest town nor does it have the best on selection for just about anything, we do have some hidden gems that have been so fun sharing with my sweet friends from out of town. Abilene’s slogan may be ‘Keep Abilene Boring” but with the right people and knowing the right places to go Abilene really is a great place to be.

4. Not everyone is ready to leave the nest, and that’s okay

I am very much a momma’s girl and am close to my grandma as well, being an only child I knew that for me I didn’t need to leave and honestly I wasn’t ready. The best thing is, I’ve been able to grow so much as a person these past two years in college and I’ve accepted the fact that you don’t have to leave where you are from to become the person you are going to be, and for that I am forever thankful.

5. Wherever you are, be happy

No matter where you end up or if you leave your hometown for college or stay right where you are, just be happy. Lately, so many stories and articles have surfaced about where and what you should or should not go or do, but we are all made different and unique for a reason. The best advice I can give is to find what makes you happy and do it. I found my happiness in my hometown.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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It’s Okay to Stay in your Hometown for College, I Promise

Making the decsion to stay where you are for college was the best thing for me

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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