Summer has flown by, as it always does. May, June, and July are fading, and August is starting up. August brings with it cooler weather, sales on summer clothes, and of course; school. Yes, every student's most hated sentence, it's time to go back to school. Back to the classroom, back to the homework, back to the late-nights studying for tests. School can be an exciting time, when it comes around you also get back to seeing your friends on a regular basis, going to class and learning about different; for some students, it's their first year of college.

College brings a mixture of joy and happiness, and also fear and anxiety.

It can be stressful, it's a new experience and can oftentimes be overwhelming. However, college can be a positive experience as well; college is a time for self-exploration and meeting new people. For others, a college degree brings them happiness, and gives them a sense of accomplishment, like Annie Dillard who is 92-years-old and just received her fourth degree.

Whatever your reason for attending college, there's a lot of variables to consider; which one to attend, what to major in and whether to stay close to home or go far away. These factors should be extensively considered by the student and their family.

Going to college is exciting, and trying to make a decision on where to go can be overwhelming.

The main question you need to ask yourself is will I be happy with my decision when I graduate from college?

Is it better to go far away for college or stay close to home?

There's nothing wrong with going away for college and there's also nothing wrong with staying close to home. There's no law saying that you have to do one or the other.

The answer to this question depends on who you ask. There are people who think that staying close to home is better when going to college, and also some people who think that it's better to go far away for college. The answer all depends on what you want to do. Staying close to home ensures that you have family close by if you would ever need anything, or just need someone to talk to.

Living with your parents can also save you money on rent or a college dorm. Moving away from home allows you to explore who you are as a person, and have your own space.

This decision all depends on personal preference. Are you looking to branch out and move away? Or do you want to be closer to your home and family?

In state vs. out of state college

It's no secret that college is expensive, and paying for it can be difficult, as of late some people have started using Twitch to help out with the payments.

Tuition prices can oftentimes be a deterrent to students who are looking into higher education, especially if the college you are interested in isn't in your home state. Going to an in-state college might be the better choice financially speaking.

However, there are some schools whose out-of-state tuition costs are not outrageous.

Another thing to consider with out-of-state tuition is the amount of debt it will leave you with. Staying close to home may not seem like the ideal option after just graduating from high school, but financially it can be a lifesaver.

University vs. community college

A lot of people go straight from high school to a four-year university. There's nothing wrong with that if you know what college you want to go to, and what you want to major in. If you are unsure of what college you want to attend or what to major in community college can be a beneficial optional. You can take courses and get your general classes done before transferring.

This is also a great time to explore your academic interests.

However, a lot of people overlook going to a community college. Spending two years getting your general classes done before going to a university to complete your major is a smart financial decision. Classes at a community college are often cheaper than they are at a University. Be warned though, if you do decide to attend community college make sure that your credits from that community college will transfer to the University that you plan to attend. Otherwise, you will have to take classes over and spend more money.

Go to college for you

The most important thing to remember when choosing a university or community is that it's your decision.

You shouldn't major in something or go to a school because someone else thinks you should. College is a time to grow as a person, and figure out what direction you want to go with both your life and career. Don't start that part of your life by doing what someone else told you was best for you.
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