KathrynStec

For some it’s a no-brainer about where they want to go to college; for others it’s a huge decision that takes lots of time, several visits, and multiple pros and cons lists. For me, the only decision I was certain of was applying only to out of state schools.

The thought of spending another four years in the same state that I grew up in, when I had the opportunity to leave, was painful— and quite frankly, the last thing I wanted to do. However, for other seniors, it is the complete opposite. The thought of going out of state, away from home and everything they know, is the last thing they want to do. 

When I began applying to colleges, not one Nebraska school was on my list. It was my goal to leave Nebraska and find a school where I knew almost no one who was going. I’m ready for a new experience, a new city, new people, and an entirely new life. 

I loved growing up in Nebraska, and I will undoubtedly have an amazing time when I come back and visit. After all, this is where I’ve spent my entire life. But taking the opportunity to start a new chapter in my life in a completely new place sounds like the best choice for me. 

Although going out of state can be more expensive, there are several scholarships available that can reduce the price and potentially make it the same cost of staying in state. 

Going out of state for college is going to force me out of my comfort zone and make me grow up. Being five hours away at the University of Missouri in Columbia is what I need to push myself to experience new things and grow out of my hometown.

I want a new challenge and experience that will give me a fresh start. For me, going out of state for college is the first step in creating my own life, separate from everything that I’ve ever known.

It comforts me to know that other people around me will be in the same situation, away from home and in a completely new setting. That is all the security I need to have confidence in my decision and not be scared for what is to come. 

Going in blind is going to be hard, and I know there will be struggles, but it’s the best choice for me. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and away from home will help me to grow into the person I will become. Nebraska will always have a place in my heart but it is time for me to leave. Go Tigers!