When you are deciding on what colleges to apply to or attend, you might be wondering: how far is too far? What’s the perfect balance of being far away enough, but not too far from home?

I ultimately threw out the idea of “too far” to attend my dream school, UCLA. Getting on a six-hour plane ride every time I have to go home can be difficult, but I don’t think I could’ve made a better decision for myself.

So here I am to tell you everything I’ve learned from going to college halfway across the country. If you were considering going to college far from home, this can be your sign to self-assess and see if this would be a good decision for you. 

PROS of Attending College Far from Home

1. Newfound Independence

After going to college, you will obviously gain a certain level of independence. But, moving far from home allows you to develop life skills and learn to rely on yourself faster than living close to home would. All adult responsibilities now fall under your wing: you can’t depend on your family for small, but tedious tasks like making Doctor’s Appointments. 

Going to college far from home allows you to be free from the control or help of others, and instead, you will have to learn how to depend on yourself. I learned so much about myself and became much more mature during my first year away from home. I had to learn how to take charge of my own time management and responsibilities.

2. Forces you to be out of your Comfort Zone

Going to college across the country forces you to be out of your comfort zone. Unlike people that go to school close to home, you can’t just go home on the weekends when you are feeling overwhelmed. And while you may not be able to go home for a nice home cooked meal or to get your laundry done, being out of your comfort zone will allow you to learn more about yourself. 

Being outside of your comfort zone encourages you to be outgoing and meet new people. It encourages you to be spontaneous and risky. You can’t be trapped inside what you have always known, which allows you to grow. 

3. Gain a new perspective

Coming from a boring, cookie cutter suburb, my goal for college was to meet new people with  completely different perspectives. Being so far from home, you will face many cultural and environmental differences that will challenge your whole worldview. 

I have met so many different types of people and am experiencing such a different lifestyle than the one that I have always known. For example, one of my closest college friends is from Dubai and I’ve met so many international students. They’re people I never would’ve known if I wasn’t at UCLA and it’s so interesting to learn about their own cultures and experiences. 

4. A Fresh Start

Going to college far from home allows you to have a lot of anonymity. You can separate from your high school friends and make entirely new friends. And even if you loved your high school friends, having a fresh start can be super beneficial. I’m not a very extroverted person, but it’s always fun to just meet new people with no strings attached and no baggage from high school weighing you down. 

Going to school with high school friends can hinder you from meeting new people. Going to a school knowing no one can allow you to meet and spend time with people you really enjoy, and everything can be on your terms. 

5. Opportunity to try something New

In the grand scheme of your life, four years won’t be that long. If you were thinking about trying something new, this is your sign to do it! Whether a specific city is good for your career path, or you are just looking to relocate for better weather, college is your chance to experience something new for four years.

Even if you end up not liking it, you may always regret not trying something new. 

CONS of Attending College Far from Home

1. Finances

Attending college far from home is ultimately more expensive than staying close. Typically, out-of-state tuition is higher than in-state. Also, you will have to pay for transportation and shipping costs for college or dorm supplies. If it is feasible for you and your family to pay to go to school far away, it can be a very fun experience. But, if you have a great opportunity close to home that is more financially realistic, that could be a better option. 

2. Homesickness: you will miss EVERYTHING from home

One of the main things I learned is that at first, you will miss everything from home. Growing up, I hated my hometown in New Jersey. But, being so far taught me to appreciate the little things from home, like the incredible bagels or my favorite park to hang out at. 

The fact that you won’t be home for a long time can definitely amplify homesick feelings, especially because it can take a while to make friends or form a solid support system at your new college. 

You just have to learn that you are not alone in feeling homesick: college is a learning experience for everyone and everyone will have good and bad days. The best thing to do is just to keep in contact with family members and friends from home as best as you can!

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3. Barely see your Family

Going far from home, you should be prepared to rarely see your family. I wasn’t able to go home for Thanksgiving or my parents’ birthdays this year, which was very difficult because I had never missed milestones like those before. 

It can also be harder for your family to relate to your new college lifestyle, because they can be incredibly unfamiliar with where you are going. This can be especially difficult at Parents’ Weekends or Game Days when people are with their families because it definitely makes you feel nostalgic. 

4. No familiar resources or Emergency Contact

You will probably not know anything about the logistics of the place you are going to: meaning you won’t have familiar resources or places that “feel like home”. 

In times of emergency, you may not have an Emergency Contact closeby. This can be challenging or overwhelming for your family, but hopefully, this will only be a big factor in certain situations. 

It can be difficult to not have a support system at your college. Sometimes it is nice to dissociate and take a break from campus, but it’s important to understand that in college, you will likely be by yourself a lot. You have to learn to be your own support system and to turn your new college into “home”.

Conclusion

Ultimately, deciding where to go to college is a HUGE decision that can change your life. I personally couldn’t imagine myself going anywhere else, and I am so glad that I decided to come to school halfway across the country. I am getting to explore a new city, meet people from all over the world, and become independent. It’s everything I could ask for in my college experience. 

Hopefully this guide gives you a better insight into the pros and cons of going to a college far away. 

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