I’m a bit undecided of what school I should go. Originally, I was planning on going to my local university but I got my financial aid packet yesterday and didn’t receive any financial aid from them. I have a better offer if I go to a school that is 3 hours away in a rural setting. I’ve never been away from home (and parents) besides a school trip to dc but that was only like a week long. I obviously wasn’t homesick but this time I’m nervous that I will be and that I’ll try to transfer out. My friend is most likely going there so I’m not worried about my roommate or not having any friends there. Anyone have any advice of what I should do? Can you guys share your experience on living on campus? What are the benefits of going to a rural university instead of one in the city?
campus life is one kind of awesome life. i like it.if you try some day to pass time in campus you also like it.
Living on campus is great and a very different college experience than living at home and commuting. Many people make their “friends for life” at college, and a lot of that social life starts in the dorms and being there for the social activities and on the weekends. It’s an amazing experience, in my opinion.
Rural vs city really depends on what you like. In a rural college, the social life will likely be more tied to the college, whereas in a city there will be more opportunities for outside activities, outings, etc. and possibly spreading out on weekends.
Can you attend an admitted student overnight at the rural college? That could give you a feel for it, and while it’s only one night, see how you like being away from home and immersed in the campus.
I think many kids don’t spend extended time away from home before college, and MOST do just fine. But most also feel ready by the end of senior year to get away from home a little bit. So keep thinking about it and researching. I personally think you should give it a try, and by a try I mean commit to one year, so you will really immerse, join activities, make friends, and then see how goes. If you go “half heartedly”, or go but head home every weekend, you won’t really know what a true, full on campus experience is.
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Attend the admitted students days at the rural college. See what activties they have. For example, at my daughter’s schools they had free busses that would take students to various stores/malls on the weekends.
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i assume at some point you want to move out of your parent’s house. College is a way to gain that independence. First you start off in a dorm that comes with furniture, bathrooms that are cleaned and a dining hall for food. As you becmoe a junior/senior, then generally you move to an apartment where you start doing more for yourself.
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I agree if you do go, go all the way. Don’t go home often. Make friends. get involved.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1808143-having-trouble-adjusting-to-college-making-friends-top-10-things-to-do.html
I would really look at what extracurricular activities the rural college affords and what appeals to you. When there isn’t easy access to activities beyond campus, things like Greek life and on-campus clubs and associations become very important. Don’t underestimate culture: tons of kids post on this site being made miserable about a perceived lack of friends/connections, too much partying, too little/too much Greek life, etc. at their respective schools. I would definitely try to do an overnight and grill the actual students as to what they do with their down time. If you fit into the culture, you will less likely to be homesick (which happens to most every kid who lives away at college, regardless of the distance); if you don’t, you will be quickly looking for the escape hatch.