Why You Should Consider College Out of State
Traveling over 2,000 miles to attend college on the other side of the country could be the best decision of your life. I remember packing up my car, saying goodbye to all I ever knew, and driving coast to coast, California to Florida, for university. Sometimes I second-guessed my decision, but looking back I couldn’t be happier with how it shaped me into who I am today. My confidence has grown, as well as my ability to balance the increasing responsibilities of young adulthood. Attending college out of state offers many advantages to university students, including the development of independence and the ability to build strong support networks in a new environment.
Leaving your home state for college is more than just a change of scenery—it’s a monumental step towards learning how to stand on your own two feet. In their article, “Leaving home for college and gaining independence,” Clara H. Mulder and William A. V. Clark explain “that for a large number of young adults living in the USA, living away at college is a first step in the process of gaining residential and economic independence” (2002). I saw this play out on my own journey when I moved to Florida for university. Living alone in an unfamiliar place pushed me to take full responsibility for my finances, health, and time. Developing this self-sufficiency early on in college is a skill that lasts a lifetime and is one of the greatest benefits of choosing an out-of-state school.
However, the thought of moving miles away from home often brings up valid fears, especially that of leaving your familiar community to build new support systems from the ground up. You might wonder if it’s truly worth leaving all you’ve ever known. Yet in taking that risk, your world can expand in phenomenal ways. Harvard student Braeden addresses this common concern in his article “Finding Family: A Home Away from Home,” sharing that leaving Mississippi for college was intimidating, but he wouldn’t trade the experience for the world because of the friendships he gained along the way. Living in a new place pushes you to step outside your comfort zone and find your people. Put yourself in Braeden’s shoes—it’s scary at first, but you might just discover your new home away from home.
As exciting as getting involved in my new community was, I wrestled with the homesickness of missing my parents the first semester. I discovered how much I had relied on them and that, as uncomfortable as it was, reducing parental involvement contributed positively to my development. USA Today explains in the article “Hovering Can Hinder Transition to Adulthood,” that “if parents are simply being supportive, they are saying things like, 'you can manage your finances; you can pick out your classes.' It changes if they are doing all of that for you” (2016). Managing tasks and responsibilities on your own may be challenging at first, and while parents may be hesitant to encourage their child to move far away, the opportunities for growth are truly invaluable.
Despite the benefits of moving away, many young adults choose to continue living alongside their parents, and it comes at a cost. One of the biggest, and often unforeseen consequences, is loneliness. O'Donnell and Rudavsky point out that loneliness is most prevalent among young adults and can have serious health consequences (“The Young, Not the Elderly, Are the Loneliest,” 2018). It’s crucial to step out and find your own place in the world, independent from your parents or childhood community. This will broaden your perspective and expand your ability to relate to others in the same stage of life. Transitioning to a new state may be difficult at first, but fully embracing your new independence and fresh environment will help you foster a supportive community and meaningful relationships.
Reflecting on my own journey of choosing out-of-state college, it is evident that it strengthened my confidence, resilience, and determination to tackle challenges. The increased responsibilities helped me step up into independence, seeking support when I needed it. Though homesickness was challenging, I found some of my closest friends and built a community of my own. College contributes to your holistic development as a person, and moving out of state provides unique opportunities to foster this type of growth that you wouldn’t find by staying near home. It’s a decision that requires courage, but from someone who's gone ahead, consider this my hand extended to you—an open invitation to step into your greatest adventure yet.