If you’re anything like I was a few years ago, you’re probably afraid to go to college. After all, you’ve already been going to school for the past thirteen years, and it’s all you should know how to do, but this time it’s different. This time, you’re not going to be relying on your parents for much at all. You’re going to be out there on your own, trying to figure out the world for yourself. Maybe you’re nervous about going away. Maybe you’re nervous about moving on. For me, moving away from home in order to go to school was the best decision I ever could have made, and I promise you it will also pay off for you in the end.

I grew up in a very small town in New Jersey. I graduated in a class that consisted of 236 students, and I knew every single one of them. We all grew up together; there were three different elementary schools in town, but when we got to middle school, we were all slammed together in one building. We all got to know each other very quickly. When high school started, everyone had formed their own cliques and spent their time with certain people, but honestly, we were all a pretty tight-knit class. Graduation came, and we were all excited but a little upset because we didn’t want to leave our childhood friends behind. I, however, knew the reality of what would happen after our high school graduation: more than 75% of those students would stay behind in my hometown. I worked ridiculously hard to prevent myself from becoming part of that 75%.

I knew that if I didn’t go away to college and get out of that town, I never would. So many of my peers stayed behind because that is what they desired, but I just don’t think it was ever really for me. Sure, I made some amazing friends that I believe will stick by me forever and I love where I come from, but I’ve; just always had an aching feeling in my stomach telling me that there was more than this place.

I went 200 miles south of my hometown and crossed over the Mason-Dixon line into the state of Maryland and fell in love with a beautiful school surrounded by an even more beautiful city. The undergraduate population at the school was a mere 1200, which was absolutely perfect for me. Small class sizes and familiar faces were what I had always grown up with. I really just wanted a little change of scenery.

Going to a school away from home has made me so much more independent and confident in myself. I do things every single day that I wouldn’t even think about doing by myself if I still lived at home. It sounds stupid, but little things like doing the laundry, washing the dishes, going to work, making doctor’s appointments, preparing my own meals, and picking up prescriptions are actually very important tasks that I always felt kind of nervous about accomplishing. Without my parents at school to help me out, I have to take all of that upon myself now. And honestly, it feels pretty good to do so.

200 miles may sound like a pretty far distance from home, but I have to say it is absolutely perfect. If I needed to go home for a weekend, four hours of driving in one day is not impossible or even uncomfortable. However, home is not so close to school where I feel as though I need to be there every waking moment.

Sure, I miss my family and sometimes I even catch myself missing my crazy little town. But I know I’ll be back, and that this distance will not be here forever. I had to get out, if only for a little while. But that small town will always be a part of me, and I’ll always find myself going back to it. Going away to school has made me appreciate the beauty of where I’m from, but more importantly it has inspired me to find something more for myself. Unlike my high school graduation, I don’t know the reality of what will happen after I leave college. But honestly, I think not knowing is the best part of my entire experience away from home, and I just can’t wait to see where the next adventure will take me.