Since a majority of the students I work with live far away from Valpo, the thought of moving hundreds of miles away from friends and family for four years can certainly be intimidating to many of them. Recently, while chatting with a few students, they shared with me their concerns about staying in touch with their high school friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, teammates, youth group members, and family while living in a different state. In this blog post I'd like to talk about my own thoughts and experiences on this topic, and I invite you to share your opinions or questions in the comments section! [And as a side-note, this photo features two of our awesome Ambassadors in Admission-- Hannah, from Ohio & Lexi, from New Jersey!]
To begin with a bit about my personal story, I chose to attend a university located almost 600 miles away from my hometown. Not only was it far from the town I'd grown up in for the past 18 years, but its location also meant that I would have to drive 12 hours or take a flight to get to and from campus. Adding more anxiety to my decision was the fact that there were just a handful of students from Indiana at my university, none of whom I'd met before starting classes there. My close friends from high school had chosen colleges and universities all over the country, none of which were located anywhere near the school I planned to attend.
While at first this new phase in my life seemed practically terrifying, I soon learned to look at it as an exciting new challenge and opportunity for growth. My family was there to love and support me as always, although I learned to substitute breakfasts with my mom and movies with my sister for Skype chats, lengthy emails, and care packages. Although I missed seeing them everyday, we valued the time we had together over breaks, making the most of the days or weeks that I was back home. I was probably MORE in tune with my friends' lives while we were away at school-- constantly posting Facebook messages and photos, sending text messages, and using our "free nights and weekends" cell phone plans to update each other on the past Saturday's fun.
Of course, I made new friends while away at college, too. I joined clubs, a sports team, and a sorority, bonded with the people living in my freshman dorm, and really hit it off with students within my major. I wasn't replacing my old friends, but rather making new connections as I grew and developed throughout my time in college. I came to learn that the test of a true friendship was being able to have fun together after spending time apart; summers with my "high school friends" were just like old times, and going back to college after breaks, my "Bucknell friends" and I picked up right where we'd left off. It felt great knowing that I had groups of people who supported and loved me in both places!
If the thought of coming out to Valpo from wherever you live still seems a little daunting, take these things into account:
- -Valpo has an amazing break schedule, including a 4-day Fall Break in October, a week long Thanksgiving Break in November, a 3-4 week Winter Break (depending on your finals schedule), a 2-week Spring Break in March, and a 3-day Easter Break in April. That gives you plenty of time to take trips throughout the semester to visit family and friends.
- -Going away to college is an excellent opportunity to learn about yourself in a new situation. Becoming more independent, forming new relationships, and pushing out of your comfort zone are great skills to develop!
- -There are Valpo students from nearly every state, and over 40 countries on campus. Everyone is learning to adjust to a new environment when they arrive at VU, so you won't be alone!
- -Valpo is located 1 hour southeast of Chicago, giving easy access to airports, train stations, and bus stations for travel to and from home.
-Laura@Valpo
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