If I had known then what I know now I’d have … been more excited to live close to home!

Everyone says your college years are a time for you to expand your horizons, express your identity, and to explore your independence. It’s finally time for you to spread your wings and get some FREEDOM!!! So why would it ever be a good idea to go to a college so close to home?

Well, I didn’t have much choice. I applied early decision to William and Mary and was so overjoyed December 6th when I got my acceptance letter. At the time I was living in Germany on an Army base because my dad was in the military so Virginia seemed like a foreign land a million miles away. A few months later my family learns that they are moving to Virginia as well and oh lucky me, they will be a little over an hour away…

This was not part of the plan! I was ready to jump from the nest, cut the ties, fly the coop and all those other separation clichés. But now as I sit here coming in to my final semester at the College, I must confess that living close to home turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Having the ability to run home for a weekend because I forgot my favorite top or needed a good home cooked meal or maybe just missed my kitties made all the difference my freshmen year.

Having my family a little over an hour away ensured that they were just far enough away that it was a slight hassle to come for a day and just close enough that I could reach them if I was in a bind. So if you are like me, and fretting over how close you will be to home, just know college is the BEST time for independence and exploration but it is nice to get some of mom’s meatloaf.

– Kate Maccagnan