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Meira
Student
Richmond, Virginia
1
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What are the pros/cons of attending college near your home (1 hour away or less). #Spring26?
Just wondering what others' experiences with this have been.
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2 answers
gordon fong
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Mesa, Arizona
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gordon’s Answer
As both a parent and an educator, I understand the pros and cons of attending college close to home. From a parent's perspective, there is comfort in knowing that your son or daughter is nearby, safe, and has a support system when challenges arise. Attending a college within an hour of home can also help reduce living expenses and make it easier to stay connected with family and friends.
On the other hand, some students benefit from moving farther away. Living on your own can help you develop independence, confidence, and life skills that come from stepping outside your comfort zone. I have seen both paths work well. My son chose not to attend college and went directly into the workforce. While I was initially disappointed, he knew what he wanted to do, and today he is a middle manager at Amazon. My daughter moved about 225 miles away to attend college, earned her degree, and is also doing very well.
My advice is to choose the path that best fits your goals, personality, and dreams. Whether you attend a college one hour away or six hours away, what matters most is that you are pursuing something that makes you happy and helps you grow. At the end of the day, you are the one who has to look in the mirror and feel confident that you made the right decision for yourself. LOL! ;-)
On the other hand, some students benefit from moving farther away. Living on your own can help you develop independence, confidence, and life skills that come from stepping outside your comfort zone. I have seen both paths work well. My son chose not to attend college and went directly into the workforce. While I was initially disappointed, he knew what he wanted to do, and today he is a middle manager at Amazon. My daughter moved about 225 miles away to attend college, earned her degree, and is also doing very well.
My advice is to choose the path that best fits your goals, personality, and dreams. Whether you attend a college one hour away or six hours away, what matters most is that you are pursuing something that makes you happy and helps you grow. At the end of the day, you are the one who has to look in the mirror and feel confident that you made the right decision for yourself. LOL! ;-)
Flower xu
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Flower’s Answer
Attending a college less than an hour from home can actually be a big advantage. It means you’re still surrounded by familiar people and environments, which can make the transition to college much easier. You also have flexibility—you can choose to live on campus for the full experience or stay at home if that suits you better. Plus, short travel time makes life simpler. You don’t need to pack a lot every time you go back and forth, and visiting family is convenient.
Of course, it’s not perfect for everyone. If you’re someone who really wants distance and independence, being so close to home might feel limiting. In that case, the “closeness” could turn into a downside rather than a benefit.
Of course, it’s not perfect for everyone. If you’re someone who really wants distance and independence, being so close to home might feel limiting. In that case, the “closeness” could turn into a downside rather than a benefit.