For my first article, I wanted to write about something that is relevant to my college experience. After meeting tons of new people for six months now, I have become familiar with almost every city in the state of Louisiana. I know which high school belongs to which city, the festivals that occur there, and what it is the city is known for. 

When I tell people who were born and raised in Louisiana that I am from Houston, Texas, they tend to make assumptions. I've heard everything from "OMG I have to take you to try your first beignet!" to "Did you have a horse?"

Out-of-state students accept that they will be an alien species in their new environment. They answer the endless questions with (for the most part) grace. They explain why it is they chose to go to an out-of-state school over and over again, and it never wears on them. I mean, you've got love your school if you are willing to travel hours just to go there. Which leads me to the first thing out-of-states do best.

1. School Spirit - No one wears their LSU gear more proudly than those who wear it home to a different state. My favorite thing about going back to Houston is being a spot of purple and gold in a sea of maroon and orange, and not being afraid to sit on a couch surrounded by hometown friends cheering on the Aggies while I scream and yell for my Tigers. 

2. Surviving on their own - #TBT to bid day. In-state students most likely knew girls and already had some friends in the sorority they pledged. They have hundreds of cute pics in their bid day jersey with everyone they knew in high school. I, and probably a lot of other girls coming from a different state, didn't really know anyone. I remember thinking "Uhhh how does everyone know each other?" and "Would it have been like that for me if I stayed home?" The answer to that would be yes. But what out-of-state students do best is adapting without the comfort of having their high school besties right by their side. While they miss their hometown friends, they are pumped for new ones and are elated to meet more people than they could ever hope to.

3. Coping with homesickness - You may be afraid to admit it, but everyone battles with homesickness every now and then. The nice thing about going to a university in your state, and especially in Louisiana, is that you usually aren't farther than a hop, skip, and jump from your mom and your bathtub. It's easy for in-state students to just go home for the weekend. When you live hundreds of miles from your hometown, it can be a little more complicated. Out-of-state students understand that they won't be home too often and they answer the "Are you going home this weekend?" question with (for the most part) grace.

So there you have it. Going to a college far away from home is both a blessing and a struggle. But even with the pains of homesickness and the initial "I have no friends" feeling, out-of-staters know to do what they do best.