<p>Cindy,
I'm a freshman at Northwestern, and I'm an only child from Hawaii! It's been hard at times, but I truly love it here. The people and the place are wonderful. If you have any questions about, well, anything, feel free to pm me!</p>
<p>I personally wish I would have stayed closer to home, as well. It is so easy to get caught up in the idea of going to school far away without realizing that you're going to be without everything that is familiar to you. I am from Colorado, and go to school in California, and I really wish I had gone to my state school, where I had a partial scholarship. Now I realize that prestige isn't everything...especially in a world where a 4-year degree is worth less and less anyway, and your graduate degree means far more.</p>
<p>I think leaving attending school far away is overrated, as well... having family and friends close by is, in my opinion, invaluable. If you have strong, healthy, respectful relationships with your family, why would you want to intentionally be further away from them? They are a wonderful support network to have. I can understand why people feel "growing up" is important, and for kids who haven't developed the skills/coping mechanisms to live independently, going out of state is probably a great step in that direction. In my situation, I took care of most things around our house (including paying the bills, running errands, laundry, etc.), and received little babying from my parent. In most other countries, University students live with or nearby their parents/relatives while attending school.</p>
<p>Luckily, I can still transfer to the state school (CU-Boulder), albeit with a smaller transfer scholarship. I'm seriously considering this option. I'd like to talk to sarah in a cup about her experience...if you get a chance, please PM me...Thanks!</p>
<p>colorado: I have a niece who sounds just like you. she is also from Colorado and going to school in Southern Cal. She has 3 younger sibs and thought "going away" was going to be so cool. By Christmas she was so homesick that she wanted to transfer. She can't transfer because she gave up the other scholarship offers when she accepted the one for California. You are lucky if other scholarships are still available to you.</p>
<p>Homesick while living in Cali? Wow, haven't heard that before...haha</p>
<p>I'll add something else to the discussion:
I am currently a senior in HS in TX and will be going to San Diego State this upcoming fall. I have lived all over as a child/teenager: Colorado, Kansas, Ohio, Texas (twice) so I know how it feels to begin something new. I feel that those moves have made the decision to go to California for college much easier because I feel like I'll be able to adapt to the environment a little easier.</p>
<p>Plus, my intentions of going away to college is that I plan on getting an internship with the Padres so that's an extra incentive. I'm just ready (as someone else said) to live my own life and make my own decisions, and I don't feel like living in Texas (which means close to my family/friends/whatever) is the best thing for me. I need to grow up and learn how to be more independent. I have plenty of friends that come back to my HS year after year that have gratuated and I just don't want to be that guy who gratuated two years ago but still hangs out at his old high school.</p>
<p>I guess I've got a slightly different situation in all regards here. First off I'm a transfer student. Because of that when I first went to a "4-year" school I was already 20. So being older I'm sure helped a bit, since I was a bit more ready to move out on my own. </p>
<p>The second big change is that I'm going to school (I'm at UCLA if you're wondering) about 40 miles from my home. However two days after getting to school, my family moved about 850 miles away. So while I'm still very much in my hometown (or close to it), I often feel like an out of state student. However while I often miss the family, it's not like I'm constantly sitting around depressed over it. I've adjusted just fine, and have been enjoying life.</p>
<p>I went from NY to California, and I guess I've gotten somewhat used to the distance. I suppose I was 'smothered' by my parents in high school - I was in that rebellious phase, so I applied to UCSD and well, here I am. I was extremely homesick the first week, and then I got little bouts of homesickness throughout the year, but they weren't as bad. And this year (i'm a 2nd year), the first few days weren't great, but it was easier. Now, I'm looking to transfer closer (halfway between where i currently am, and home) - not just because of the distance, but I guess it does factor in a bit. California just wasn't what I expected it to be. I don't like it here, to be completely honest. </p>
<p>And even though some nights i just felt horrible, I don't know if I'd change anything, if I had to do it again. Maybe study a little harder and not let the homesickness get to me so much...But what I'm trying to say is, ever since I've gone to college, I've seen my parents in a whole new light. In high school, they were always there, nagging incessantly, but now (i call them everyday - we don't have long conversations, but they're something, at least), I've come to appreciate them a whole lot more. I think this whole experience brought us a lot closer, which honestly, i wouldn't give up for anything.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what don't you like about California? Because I'll be going to San Diego next fall too....</p>
<p>Yeah, I'd like to know too. I'm from NY but I love it here in Cali. I think w/California, especially SoCal, you either love it or hate it.</p>
<p>haha, I'm gonna be going halfway 'round the world.</p>
<p>I am 450 miles away from home, so not a drive you would do for a day, and probably not one for a weekend. When I was looking at schools, I looked at the ones that were best suited for my major and interests. Distance did not really seem to play a role. My parents encouraged me to look at a variety of locations, but didn't force any decisions. In the end, it was my decision, but I had their support 100%. Even though I can't see my family frequently, I talk on the phone with my mom once or twice a day (and it is my sophomore year). In the end, everything will work out!</p>
<p>I left home to go to school several States away at 14. At 16 I went to China for a year. With all due respect, it sounds like this is mom's probloem, not the son's. Let him go so he does become the independent type. He clearly knows your thoughts yet still wants to go so he should. We live in a global world and staying close to home could really hinder his later possibilities.</p>
<p>And BTW, didn't hubby call Harvard when a letter never came? I don't know that I'd forgive a selfish, controlling parent for pulling something like that. Did he?</p>
<p>I went a thousand miles away to college. Hasn't been a problem for me at all, but I'm not really the type of person to get homesick.</p>
<p>Regarding homesickness, If you're a freshman, and it's February, this is the most "down" time of your first year. Go see your RA, talk about it, etc. Hang in there. Spring is on the way.</p>
<p>Colorado: I tried to PM you, but it says you're not accepting PMs. I think you need to change your settings through your control panel. It sounds like we're going through the same thing right now, and I'd love to talk about any questions/concerns you might have about transferring closer to home.</p>