Near or Far
Enough sleep, good grades, and a social life: in college, you can only pick two. Most people associate their college experience with the best years of their life, and it can be. Based on the student’s personality, some people decide to stay close to home for their education, and others want to get as far away as possible. Although a student has the opportunity to get a good education anywhere, finances, relationships, and overall personal growth differs between those that stay close to home and those who go farther away.
The biggest challenge for most college students and their families is paying for their education. Many students fill out numerous financial aid, grant, and loan documents, hoping to recieve a little extra help. A lucky few get scholarships based on athletic, artistic, or academic performance. As for the rest of us, we need to work for our education. This is definitely a benefit for those who stay close to home. Students can keep their previous jobs, and stay at the same pay they had before. They also have the option of living at home, and commuting to school every day. Also, these students most likely receive in-state tuition prices, which are considerably lower than out-of-state. This saves many students money. On the other hand, those who choose to go to school farther away do not have such opportunities. These students need to find new jobs, which is extremely difficult in college towns. If they are lucky enough to find a job, the pay is usually horrible. Also, these students need to pay for housing or rent for an apartment. This is also a very expensive need. Of course, these students do not receive in-state tuition, so they pay thousands of dollars more than those who are in-state residents. Either way, college is a very expensive time in a person’s life, and if not budgeted carefully, can lead to a lifetime of debt.
On the other hand, previous relationships can greatly affect where a student chooses to go to school. Those who stay close to home have more opportunities to see their family, friends, and boyfriends/girlfriends. Typically, these students do not get as homesick, and nothing really changes with their relationships. On the other hand, the students who attend college farther away do not get to see their loved ones as often. This can definitely benefit the student. When they finally get to see their parents, friends, or significant other, it means so much more. Those who are farther away may also drift apart from their close friends from high school. This is not uncommon. Also, long distance relationships between significant others can definitely be hard. Statistics show that the average couple in a long distance relationship separates after fourteen months (Tips for a Long Distance Relationship). I am personally in a long distance relationship, and have been with my boyfriend for over two years. It is extremely hard to be so far away, but I believe that it has made our relationship much stronger. If you really love someone, you will work hard to stay with that person. Going away to college definitely tests your relationships in life. This way, you learn what the people in your life mean to you, and you don’t take those relationships for granted.
College is the time in your life where you learn the most about yourself, and grow as a person. Being close to home does not give you the opportunity to become as independent. Although you may still get slight independence while close to home, you still lean back on home when times are rough, or when you are feeling the least bit scared. This is not an option for those who are far away from home. When you are homesick and scared, you cannot just run home. It teaches you how to be an adult, and face obstacles head on. Also, being far away from home, chances are that you know little to no one at your school. This pushes you to be friendly, and to put yourself out there to meet new people, which in the end definitely is a benefit.
College is the time of your life. It is where you start to become who you want to be. The drama of high school is (usually) gone, and people accept you for who you truly are. Based on the different factors and people’s personalities, some students stay close, and some get as far away as they can. Regardless of where a student goes to school, the opportunities and resources are there to learn, to love, and to live.
Works Cited
“Tips for a long distance relationship.” Education Portal. 2003. 8 Dec. 2008 <http://education-portal.com/articles/tips_for_a_long_distance_college_relationship.html>.
