As the school year is on its feet, and college decisions are being sent out, the time to commit to a university is approaching. Choosing the school you want to go to is not only a big decision,  but also a difficult one. For many, the debate of staying in-state or going out of state is the hardest decision to make. Both options have their pros and cons, and it’s important to think about those when you decide.

Staying in-state can be a lot of fun. In Illinois, we have a lot of different colleges and universities to choose from. I think staying close to home is nice because you know the area, and you can be near your family and friends. Illinois has big cities like Chicago and smaller towns with beautiful scenery, so there’s something for everyone. The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign is a popular choice for a lot of students because it is in-state, but it is also not in Chicago. Personally, I like that it is far enough away from the life I am used to so I can experience a somewhat different lifestyle, but it is also close enough to where I can visit my friends and family if I want to.

Going out of state also has its pros. Obviously, you get to experience life in a new state which could be really different and fun. I mean, if someone who lived in Colorado decided to go to a college in Florida, I am sure they would have a shock, especially from the weather. It is exciting to get to experience something different than what you are used to. But going out of state can make you feel very homesick. I know that if I decided to go out-of-state, I would start to miss my family and friends a lot.

The flip side to going out of state is missing the familiar surroundings around you. It is hard to adapt to a new place, new people, and more.

For me, while I think it would be fun to go out of state and explore a new place, I think staying in-state is better. However, I do not think I would want to stay that close to home. I still think it is great to dorm with new people and make new friends during college as well. Staying in-state is familiar and I can still be somewhat close to my friends and family from home, but I would still get to experience the “college life” by staying in a dorm and experiencing life on my own.