"I can't wait to get out of this state."
These were the words of an over-excited high school senior who swore she'd go far away for college and never look back. After having already received my acceptance letters to college, I began to create some pros and cons lists about each school. The first one off my list was the only in-state school to which I applied. After a while, I had it narrowed down to whether I wanted to be 11 hours away from home or 17. Fast forward to a year later when I realized being a lonely out-of-state Buckeye 11 hours away may have been the best decision I've ever made but also has some disadvantages.
1. I missed my parents.
At first, it may seem like getting away from your parents will be the best thing in the entire world. No rules, no helicoptering, and independence seemed like a breath of fresh air at first. However, there was a reality check when I realized that I was still a teenager and needed my parents. I missed coming home after school and having them ask about my day. I missed having my mom right there to hug me when times got tough and my dad talking to me about the Red Sox. I regretted taking for granted having them close and as a result, I called them every single day.
2. There are no places to get good cheese fries in Columbus.
This is self-explanatory. Do better, Columbus.
3. My hometown really isn't that boring.
As much as I complained while in high school about there being nothing to do, I missed what little there was to do while in college. Living on an island loses its charm after a while but once I was gone, I dreamed about being on the beach again. Of course, now that I'm home for summer it seems boring again. I just learned to appreciate it while I have it.
4. I got upset that I couldn't see my regular doctor and dentist.
As crazy as it seems, a real gush of homesickness took over me when people on my floor were going home on the weekends for doctor and dentist appointments. I would do anything to hear my dentist question my flossing abilities again, but the 11-hour car ride just wasn't a possibility. This also goes hand in hand with missing my parents. Making appointments for yourself is not a fun aspect of adulting. Not to mention, making an appointment at the student health center is an absolute pain in the ass.
5. I hate that all of the friends I made are in-staters.
As my Instagram feed flooded with photos of my college friends reuniting in Ohio, major FOMO hit. It's easy for everyone else to make a last minute weekend road trip to friends in different parts of the state...except me. If I was going back to Ohio, I would need a significant heads up and copious amounts of coffee to get me through the long drive. There is a silver lining, however. Reuniting with people from college really is that much more special when you haven't seen them in months.
6. THEY ARE CALLED SNEAKERS.
It makes my ears bleed to hear people refer to sneakers as "tennis shoes," and soda as "pop." Where the heck are these people shopping that label the sneaker section with "Tennis Shoes?" I'm sorry, but no, you're wrong.
7. Therapy dogs are nowhere near as cute as my dog.
Finals season rolls around, and the one thing I was looking forward to was the emotional support dogs. Instead of calming my nerves for upcoming exams, they made me miss my Frito-smelling, bed-hogging, underwear-chewing pooch. It also doesn't help that my dog has an irrational fear of being on Facetime and refused to look at the camera every time I would attempt to talk to him.
8. No, I don't know what you're talking about.
It seems that everyone in Ohio knows about every little town, restaurant and road in the entire state. Don't give me a "poor you" face when you find out I've never had Skyline Chili or Graeter's Ice Cream. I don't even know where Columbus is located in the state let alone any of the suburbs located outside of Cleveland.
9. I don't have a southern accent.
I grew up in Pennsylvania. Just because I'm from South Carolina and occasionally use the word "Y'all" does not mean I have a southern accent.
10. I have no idea how to get an absentee ballot.
College is a popular time for people to figure out their beliefs individually from their parents. With new experiences and people, it came naturally to develop political ideas and start taking stances on certain controversial topics. When the time comes to exercise my suffrage that many people fought for me to have, I have absolutely no idea how to vote out-of-state. Whoops.
11. Yes, the weather sucks.
As I look down at my four pairs of socks tucked into my long underwear, I reminisce on the days of sunshine and gross humidity. When you live down south, your blood certainly thins, and cold weather is nearly unbearable. I had to buy a winter coat before college because I didn't own one. That should've been a red flag right there.
12. Going to school out-of-state is the best decision I've ever made.
With every complaint, there are a million more lovely things about going to college far away. I have made so many lifelong friends from all over the country that I wouldn't have if I stayed close to my routes. As much as I miss my parents, my dentist, the local restaurants and of course my dog, I could not ask for a better college experience. Being surrounded by Tigers, Cougars, and Gamecocks at home may be overwhelming sometimes, but I could not be more proud to be a Buckeye.
