I was born and raised in Houston, Texas.

All I ever wanted was to get away. I'm absolutely obsessed with traveling and seeing new things. This is one of the many reasons I wanted to get out of my hometown for college so badly. As much as I hate to admit it, leaving was one of my biggest mistakes. I hadn't applied to any schools here, the universities here weren't even in my top 10. But somehow I ended up coming back..it's funny how things work themselves out.

Once I left for school, a few months passed and I realized how sad I had become, I had very few friends, I rarely went out, and I never felt like doing my schoolwork or studying. I had completely lost focus. Then, I decided to return home and attend community college till I could figure things out.

I know a lot of us can't wait to leave our home towns, get away from our parents, experience "freedom".

Let me tell you from first hand experience. I now live 30 minutes away from my parents but I still have my freedom.

Living in my home town isn't such a bad thing after all.

Going in to it, I will be honest, I was worried that my parents were going to be at my apartment door every weekend

"Hey! we came to hang out," and I'd be like:

And that hasn't happened once. They have never shown up at my apartment unannounced. I find myself going home to see them rather than them coming to see me.

Staying in my hometown for college was one of the best choices I ever made. If I need something, my parents are here for me. If I miss them, I drive 30 minutes and I can see them.

Having lived in Houston for my entire life I know the lay of the land, where things are (for the most part) and I don't feel lost. Like this:

I'm more like:

Sometimes going somewhere new can be a scary thing, and at home I feel safe. Some of us feel the need to leave, because we feel like being at home we're held back.. and for some people, leaving is the solution.

For me, leaving created a problem. I know some people become depressed when they leave home, because being alone in a new environment can create an insane amount of stress. Kind of like this:

My last piece of advice is this: wherever you decide to go for school, if you realize that you aren't happy. Don't be afraid to transfer schools, or take a semester (or two) off. The 2 most important things are your mental and physical health, so if you think being at the school you're at is wrong or hindering you from your full potential... make a change.

Do what is right for you. Do what makes you healthy, and enjoy college. The years you spend there, are the best of your life.