Stay home or experience the world?

<p>Hi there!
Well I live in Miami, Florida and I've been presented with the choice to either stay home and attend FIU (a 4 year university) or move out to Gainesville and go to Santa Fe College (a 2 year college which is a great feeder to UF as well as other large schools). FIU is cheaper and would seem like the more sensible option. However, at home there a few problems and I find it harder to study here. I also would like the experience to finally move out of my house (like all teenagers) and go through something new and unknown to me. I currently have my girlfriend and a couple friends who are going to Gainesville and plan to attend UF, they are all very studious and ambitions. They are just the type of friends one would want to have if they plan to perform well academically. </p>

<p>What should I do? Any advice?</p>

<p>CC in Florida is covered by Bright Futures, so if you qualify you’d essentially go for free; the cost difference may even work out to being cheaper if you attend Santa Fe College (it does have a good reputation as a CC). Since it sounds like it’s your top choice, I don’t see a downside to it. The only issue is what your parents think - would they support your plan of going to Santa Fe College then UF? (Also, keep in mind you’ll have to stay very focused while in CC, as a majority of CC students never actually transfer…)</p>

<p>Im currently a freshman at FIU and im in the same boat. You should totally go to Santa Fe, you’ll get to live by yourself and be independent. Commuting at FIU is not that nice plus it is really exhausting, most of the time I wish I lived on campus so I could go to my dorm and take a nap between classes or chill out with friends. Besides, UF is one of the best schools in florida, way better than FIU so its worth it! Hope this helps!</p>