4 answers
Tyrone
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
6
Questions
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Was it hard deciding if you want to leave your family in the state for college
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4 answers
Gus Karamazov
Systems Analyst
1
Answer
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Gus’s Answer
Leaving family is always difficult whether it is a different city/state or a country. Since we all spend majority of our childhood up to our teens living with family, it seems like a major change in life and could be overwhelming at least in the beginning.
I was 15 when I left my family for the first time to join a boarding school and since then I have spent more time away from them than together. The first time I cried when I had to say goodbye. I saw my parents cry for the first time when it was not someone's death! There were days of mixed feelings in the beginning but then slowly I was caught up in school activities and learned to live with the fact. I'm sure it was hard for my family too but they wanted me to pursue the opportunities I had.
If one looks at life as an opportunity to do as many things of interest as possible, then moving away from family can be justified. It always helps to find a strong reason take that step so during the hard moments one can find motivation to keep going and not second guess the decision.
I've seen people who were happy to move out and be on their own, people who were sad that they had to move out and others who continued as if nothing changed. In all these scenarios, however, I've seen people grow into their own person. They learned to live on their own, developed habits and skills.
I was 15 when I left my family for the first time to join a boarding school and since then I have spent more time away from them than together. The first time I cried when I had to say goodbye. I saw my parents cry for the first time when it was not someone's death! There were days of mixed feelings in the beginning but then slowly I was caught up in school activities and learned to live with the fact. I'm sure it was hard for my family too but they wanted me to pursue the opportunities I had.
If one looks at life as an opportunity to do as many things of interest as possible, then moving away from family can be justified. It always helps to find a strong reason take that step so during the hard moments one can find motivation to keep going and not second guess the decision.
I've seen people who were happy to move out and be on their own, people who were sad that they had to move out and others who continued as if nothing changed. In all these scenarios, however, I've seen people grow into their own person. They learned to live on their own, developed habits and skills.
Cameron Diep
Clinical Research Assistant
55
Answers
Palo Alto, California
Updated
Cameron’s Answer
Hi Tyrone, everyone is going to experience varying levels of difficulty when they leave their family for college. While I found it sad to leave my family and move to Boston from California, I was excited for the change in environment and the opportunity to become more independent!
Bre Pittman
Corporate Social Responsibility
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Bre’s Answer
Hi Jared! I always thought that I would attend college out of state because I thought it would be a good experience. I was accepted into three schools out of state and several in state. When the time came for me to decide, I became fearful of being so far away and I also didn't have my own car which made the fear that much stronger. I ended up attending college just 20 minutes away from home. I don't regret it because I did enjoy my experience, but I will always wonder what my experience would have been like had I gone to school out of state. However, just a few months after graduating from college I moved to another country so that definitely made up for it! Also, when I returned to the U.S. I moved to another state where I have been for several years now. My point is, you will make the best decision for yourself in that moment and the good thing is, it doesn't have to be permanent. There may be many reasons why you find it difficult to move away from your family for college, but I believe in taking advantage of opportunities and you can always visit your family or they can visit you. Sometimes we gain the best experiences and life lessons when we take a chance and step away from what we know.
Jill S
investigator
4
Answers
Tiburon, California
Updated
Jill’s Answer
Hi Tyrone
You may wish to stay local your first two years, then if you feel ready, transfer to another college out of state, or take a semester or year elsewhere (domestic or abroad). Many colleges have "exchange" programs for a semester or a year in your junior year. Then you can return for senior year. I definitely recommend trying something new outside your home state to gain different perspectives, see new areas of the country or the world, and experience different cultures while you are young. It may seem daunting at first but you will find your own way since it's not hard meeting similar aged people when you are college age .
You may wish to stay local your first two years, then if you feel ready, transfer to another college out of state, or take a semester or year elsewhere (domestic or abroad). Many colleges have "exchange" programs for a semester or a year in your junior year. Then you can return for senior year. I definitely recommend trying something new outside your home state to gain different perspectives, see new areas of the country or the world, and experience different cultures while you are young. It may seem daunting at first but you will find your own way since it's not hard meeting similar aged people when you are college age .