Moving away to college is the best decision I’ve ever made

For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a great passion for trying new things. Moving away to college helped me establish how essential change is. Coming in contact with new things and experiencing the unexpected has helped me focus on building a new path for myself. I realized who I wanted to become by expanding my curiosity to a world unknown.

I never had a precise plan after high school but I knew I wanted to see the world, experience new things and people. I remember waking up one day in the blazing hot city of Miami Beach and thinking to myself, WTF doing here? I feared leaving the city I loved because I was wrapped around the idea of my entire life being there.

In a matter of a few days I drove up north and began to look into schools, housing, etc. I  instantly imagined myself in this small town that was roaming with thousands of college students. I had a moment of clarity that this is where I needed to be. It was my chance for a refreshing start.

Although the fear of feeling alone scattered through my mind, I expanded my horizons and jumped into this new life.

Victoria Gerson, 20, University of Florida said: “I do believe leaving Miami was a good decision in terms of location because of the circumstances and opportunities offered to me here. Because I now live in a college town, surrounded by people with the same goals and mindsets, I am not easily distracted from my own goals. Whereas if I was still in Miami I would be surrounded by a thousand types of people, not just college students seeking an education and a degree like myself.

“At one point in my first year away from Miami, I wanted to take the easy road and give up and go home, live with my family, and attend a local college. But, if I did do that, I would never learn how to take care of myself, live on my own, and balance all the aspects of becoming a responsible student and adult.”

I’ve had some crazy, wild, and beautiful nights these past couple years on my own.  Star gazing under the diamond lit sky, spontaneous wine nights on my rooftop, and buying a $20 dollar disposable camera to capture the nights I’ll never remember.

I never thought I would have built such a strong bond with some of these people. I truly believe the universe has a way of making everything work out. We are all discovering who we are. This is the prime time. I am utterly thankful to be able to experience this time of my life with souls that are as lost as I am.

Moving away from home definitely comes with challenges but it is one of the best decisions I ever made.  I encouraged myself to take advantage of this time by taking up complex classes (something I would have never even come close to considering if I was still in Miami). Going away and growing up on my own has exposed myself to things I never knew. I’m still unfolding my life and experiencing new things day by day and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.  I’ve learned to appreciate the little things in life that I was once so blinded by.

I know that I will hold onto the different perspectives my peers have shared with me and take this experience wherever I go. Going away to college has made me realize that home will always be home, its always going to be there. This moment right now is fleeting. Rather than spending time contemplating change, act on it. Get up and try something new. You will find what you’re looking for.