[Indie'sOK]

Hi all,
I'm a junior in high school right now, and with the ACT coming up in a couple weeks, I have really been thinking about college lately. I live in Mid-Michigan, close to a community college that would be really cheap for me to start out at right after high school. Grand Valley State University is a couple hours away, just outside of Grand Rapids. I would much rather go away to school instead of staying at home for another two years. The problem, though, is my anxiety issue. I am very much an introvert, and my social anxiety has been a huge problem for years. My parents feel it would be better for me to stay close to home for awhile to "become more responsible". I talked with my therapist about this today, and she thinks it would do me some good to get out on my own sooner rather than later. I've created a sort of mental Pros & Cons list to help me decide...what do you guys think? Any advice?

Pros of going away
More independence
Being around a lot of people (sort of like exposure therapy for my anxiety)
More freedom
Fresh start in a new area
Being exposed to a whole new environment

Cons of going away
Higher tuition costs
Will probably be a huge anxiety trigger
I will have to end with my current therapist in the next year and a half
What if I am so afraid of meeting new people that I become a total loner?

Here's something I didn't mention before...I currently live in an area of Michigan that is notorious for crime and blight. My parents have pressured me for years to get out of here as soon as possible, and I plan to. That alone is enough to make my decision for me. If I chose to leave after all, I will really miss the comfort and security of my home, parents and therapist. But if I pass up the opportunity, I'll probably regret not taking the chance to explore new things.

What do you guys think?

[Confusedinomicon]

Even if you don't leave Michigan, you can go to a state school that is far enough away from your parents so it will feel like you are out of state. This may also mean some of your friends will decide to go to that school too.

I live about 2-3 hours from my parents right now and about 4-5 hours from my sister.

Moving helped with my anxiety. I think your therapist is right....but that's only if you're willing to make that jump. The best way to face anxiety is to meet it head on.

[DenisDonnacha]

Just do what you want and what feels right, I stayed at home while attending college (travelled back everyday, about a one hour journey), and for me, it was a bad decision, I would be much happier out and away from home living in a new area.
And your also very lucky in that in your parents will support you if you go, that should make it easier.

A new area can make everything seem nice and fresh and I would recommend it, sleep on it some more and see what you think.

i did both during my college career...spent my freshman year at a state community college...got many of the basics out of the way..cheap. it worked for me...my parents were much older (& this was 30 yrs ago) & they had some very odd views about women & college.

i attended a college fair & managed to speak with a rep from a private liberal arts school in michigan (of all places..right?!). got a very decent financial aid package (as in free ride) & transferred there. moving from ny to michigan was a huge thing...my home life was horrible...my parents were very abusive...but honestly going away was the best thing that ever happened to me.

i loved michigan...the people, the state...everything...

why not try for a state school in a different part of the state...this way tuition will be somewhat cheaper & you can still be both nearby (unless you venture up to the UP) & far away at the same time.

good luck tho in what ever you opt for.

[Indie'sOK]

Originally Posted by stumpy

i did both during my college career...spent my freshman year at a state community college...got many of the basics out of the way..cheap. it worked for me...my parents were much older (& this was 30 yrs ago) & they had some very odd views about women & college.

i attended a college fair & managed to speak with a rep from a private liberal arts school in michigan (of all places..right?!). got a very decent financial aid package (as in free ride) & transferred there. moving from ny to michigan was a huge thing...my home life was horrible...my parents were very abusive...but honestly going away was the best thing that ever happened to me.

i loved michigan...the people, the state...everything...

why not try for a state school in a different part of the state...this way tuition will be somewhat cheaper & you can still be both nearby (unless you venture up to the UP) & far away at the same time.

good luck tho in what ever you opt for.

What liberal arts school did you go to? I ask because I'm also looking at Kalamazoo College, but I'm pretty set on GVSU. It's a state university in Grand Rapids, about two hours away from my hometown of Saginaw. Ugh.......if anyone's familiar with this area, they'll understand why I want to leave

Thanks for the advice everyone!

[Perna]

I went to my state school when I graduated high school and lived there, it was only about an hour from my parent's home. It was a difficult time for me but I would not have wanted to do it any differently as that was what my friends and others I knew were doing. Do you have any friends who are thinking of the same schools or who might be going to the local community college, etc.? I would use this next year to work on getting to know and talk to people better and see how you feel next Fall?

[Indie'sOK]

I don't really have many friends, and the ones that I do have most likely won't go to college. They don't influence my decision at all..

Thank you again everyone....I'm feeling better about going away now