What it’s like to go to college in your backyard

I once timed the drive from campus to my house, and with no traffic it lasted a grand total of four and a half minutes.

Boston College was the only school in Massachusetts that I even bothered applying to. The rest of my schools were scattered from New York to California to Louisiana to Florida, but somehow I ended up at a school that was as close to my house as I could possibly get without being home schooled.

Going to school in your hometown actually is not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be.  When I tell people I go to school so close to my house the first reaction I always get it one of shock and horror.  “Why would you do that?” and “That must suck!” are the two most common follow up comments I get.

People think that living close to home must horrible because my parents must be breathing down my neck and I must be so sick of this place, but the truth is, going to school near home was the best decision I ever made.

My bedroom at home

Here’s why:

I never have to wait for a washer and dryer

With my house being a mere five minutes away, I can easily bring my laundry home and do it there without having to wait in line.  This also guarantees that my clothes actually come out of the dryer dry and costs me approximately $0.00. The best part of this is that I don’t find clumps of other people’s hair stuck to my clothes, either.

I already know my way around

One of the best ways to make friends as a freshman, as I found out, was knowing where all of the good places to eat are.  It doesn’t take long to get sick of food from Mac and when times became desperate, I was the first person anyone ever went to for suggestions. I made a lot of friends by telling them about restaurants in Boston and how to actually get there (the fast way).

Whenever home friends come back from school, I’m always here to see them

This is one of the best perks of living near home.  My friends from home and I have always been incredibly close and being able to see them every time they come home is a real treat.  I’ve been able to host all of them at BC at least once and it has made our friendships stronger because of it.

No. Shower. Shoes.  

When I get sick of them, I go home for an hour and shower.  Enough said.

I always have access to a car

 When your house is a less than five minute train ride away, it is the most simple and natural thing in the world to go home, pick up my car, and go out with my friends to places we wouldn’t be able to go without a car. I get the convenience and independence of my car without having to pay the outrageous amounts for a campus parking permit.

I can, but don’t have to, see my family

One of the conditions I set with my parents before going to school so close to home was that they would treat me as if I went to school in a different state and not expect me to come home all of the time. This was great to establish because at this point it is second nature for them (and me) that I am not ever really expected at home but it’s always there for me when I need it.

I have the total freedom of being on my own, away at college, while at the same time basking in the many perks of being close to home and my awesome family.