Choosing a college is an exciting and at times stressful time in life. Reflecting on my own experience, I kept coming back to if I wanted to stay in state or venture out of state. No matter who you ask, you usually will get a variety of different answers. Stay in-state to be near friends and family, or go out of state and spread your wings. At the end of the day, both are great options, but there are definitely a few perks to spreading your wings and flying.

1. Brand New People

When you go out of state you are submerged in a completely different territory. There are thousands upon thousands of new people just waiting to call you their friends. Going out of state allows you the opportunity to make loads of new friends and to really put yourself out there. While being surrounded by completely new people, I was able to be exposed to different personalities and customs that I may have never come about in my home town.

2. New Environment

Let's face it, a chance of scenery is fun. A new climate, new view, and tons of new places to explore are only a few reasons it's fun to get away. The first months of school are the best because every time you leave campus you can discover a new part of your town. No matter what state you decide to move to, you will have countless places to explore.

3. Fresh Start

When moving to a new place, you have the opportunity to completely recreate yourself if you so desire. Depending on where you go, you have the chance to start completely over, and turn to a brand new chapter in your life. A fresh start allows you to put all your successes and failures in the past and continue to grow into the person you have always wanted to be.

4. Distance

While this is not what sold me to an out of state university, the distance has definitely helped me grow as a person. By not being able to drive home in thirty minutes, I was forced to learn how to do things by myself. Now don't get me wrong, I definitely had to call my mom a few times asking what I could and could not put in the washer, but I didn't have the luxury of taking my clothes home to have her help me in person. The distance also really made me cherish my time with my family more.

5. More Possibilities

Going out of state gives you so many possibilities. Hundreds of schools with thousands of different programs and majors are just waiting to be explored. By going out of state you can really find a university that fits everything you ever dreamed of with once in a life time programs and opportunitites.