5 Things You Learn by Leaving Home to Go to College

Going away to college will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. For many, this is the first real chance to be independent from your parents, and you are going to learn a lot about yourself in the process; the first being how independent, or dependent, you really were all along. The first realization of my own dependence came when I got a cold and realized no one was going to bring me chicken soup and Tylenol as I lay resting in bed. My roommate's realization came when she was starting to feel the pangs of not having a home cooked meal. Going into this kind of environment, no one tells you to do your homework, or the differences between right and wrong, what is or isn't responsible, and you are now your own voice of reason.

Living at home while attending college can make college very similar to high school. Though you're starting to become an adult, your parents most likely will be keeping a close eye on you, whether they admit it or not. They'll be making sure you go to your classes on time, that you study hard for your exams, that you don't party too often. And while some may actually need this kind of reinforcement, it robs you of the growing experience that dorm-life allows you to have. That is because, more than anything, living away from your parents forces you to accept responsibility for the consequences of your actions.

Here are the top five things you will learn about yourself in college, while living away from your parents.

1. "I'm much more/less responsible than I thought I was." When I attended the first year of my university, I saw people excel easily, fail miserably, and everything in between, all as a result of their personal choices. You can stay out partying, and get drunk or high all night, every night, and no one will say anything, but don't think for a second that you don't have to turn in that paper the next day. College forces you to delegate your time carefully. You can skip every class and get kicked out your first semester, or you can both have fun and do your work. No matter what you do, you're going to see the results of the actions your parents usually prevent from happening.

2. "Living with another person/people is tough." Living with a complete stranger that is not a member of your family, you learn a lot about your comfort zone, your limits, and the way you portray yourself to others. Your roommate is most likely going to be a person who is nothing like you. It's up to both of you to learn about each other and define yourselves clearly, in order to coexist without killing one another. Your roommate could be a smoker, while you hate cigarettes. She could be a night person that has people over at three in the morning, while you're trying to sleep. He could leave dirty dishes on the floor for months, while you are a complete neat freak. My friend had a roommate that came into their room very drunk, and urinated on my friend's plant. You both could have different religions, sexualities, political views. None of this means you can't get along, but living with someone is a lot different than just being friends with someone, and you will come out of the experience learning a lot about yourself and the other person.

3. "No one is going to take care of me." Your parents are always going to be there for you if you ever get into serious trouble, and even your friends to a certain extent, but if you're feeling ill, and it's raining outside, and all you want to do is stay in bed under your warm blankets, it's not likely someone is going to be at your bedside bringing you your every meal. Disease spreads like wildfire in a college dorm, and no one is going to carry you to the medical center, especially since it's likely they won't be feeling very well themselves. You're going to have to start doing a lot of things on your own that you may not have had to do before. No one is going to do your laundry, make your bed, clean your sheets, iron your clothes, vacuum the floor, take out your garbage, do your dishes... it's all up to you now. It takes some getting used to, but you'll come out of it more conscious of the little things you tended to neglect in the past.

4. "I'm gaining/losing weight!" Most first year college dormers aren't going to have a kitchen to cook for themselves, and without having a stove or easy access to a supermarket, it's really likely your weight is going to change. If you're used to eating sushi, salads, and low-carb, low-fat diets, you might be in for a rude awakening. While these foods may be still accessible, it's very easy to fall into the habit of eating not-so-slimming food purely out of convenience. Pizza, pasta, junk food, and especially Ramen noodles (the college kid staple) start becoming the norm. This diet can lead to what is commonly called the "Freshmen Fifteen", which is a weight gain of fifteen pounds during your first year away from home. Unfortunately, girls and guys that are afraid of gaining weight may develop eating disorders. That's why one of the most important lessons you learn as a dormer is to watch what you eat. You need to take care of yourself, and though eating right may be difficult, you should have access to gyms and fields where you can exercise, and activities that can help you stay healthy. Being away from home means not having things, like certain foods, as easily accessible, and you're forced to cope with a different environment.

5. "Being on your own is fun!" Not having to answer to your parents for every little thing, not having many of the responsibilities of the world after college, and being young and living with thousands of people the same age as you is fun! You're going to develop many different kinds of relationships, learn things that will change the way you think, and form memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life. But it can only be experienced to the fullest if you leave your parents' nest, and are making decisions based on your own judgment. It's amazing how most times you'll find yourself doing the things your parents taught you anyway, even without them in your ear.

Living with your parents as you attend college may save you from many potential emotional, physical, scholarly, and financial problems, but it will water down both your experience and your independence. Though at first you may feel homesick or lost, you won't regret it. Stay strong, be responsible, and have fun!