As soon as high school started, I was looking forward to college. Everything about it appealed to me -- the independence, the traveling, the new home, everything. I always thought that I would leave New York for my next endeavor. Back then, all I knew was that I wanted out.
It wasn't until the end of my sophomore year that I actually started thinking about where I wanted to go. My mom had mentioned a choir camp at Harding University in Arkansas, and I decided I wanted to go. My parents then planned an entire trip around my choir camp, which included visiting my uncle and my cousin and touring colleges that were near them.
I explored three campuses that summer: Harding University, the College of the Ozarks and the University of Central Arkansas. When I got home, my heart was already set on going to UCA and I already had a plan as to how I was going to do it. This decision was my goal until it came time to actually apply for colleges.
I didn't end up applying to any of the colleges I visited that summer, only ones in New York. In fact, all of them were SUNY schools. The reason for this was because I didn't want to have to fill out more than one application and all SUNY school accept the same application. I was accepted to all four schools, which left me with an important decision. Where did I want to spend the next four years of my life?
I won't lie to you. I didn't make my choice based on this question or where the school was located in relation to my hometown. I waited so long to choose, that I ended up just making the easiest choice, which also happened to be the best choice for me.
If I hadn't chosen to go to college so close to home, I never would've made the friends I have today. I wouldn't have been able to get closer to old friends, or stay as close with my family as I am right now. I was able to join my family for events and outings that I would've missed if I had gone farther away.
I was able to have my independence while still being able to lean on my parents when I needed to. I got to have father-daughter lunches with my dad every once in a while and I got to spend time with my little sister before she went off to college as well. My mom and I closed the distance in our relationship and grew closer since I've been at college.
The past two years, I have lived on campus, which gave me the option of having the full college experience without having my parents looking over my shoulder with every move I made. However, this year, I decided that it was time to move home, both emotionally and financially. I wouldn't trade the two years I did live on campus for anything, though. I made so many wonderful memories because I lived on campus, so if you can, try to spend some of your college career living in the dorms.
Going to college close to home has its perks and it's downfalls. Either way, it's okay to do so. I promise.
