It is your senior year and there’s always that question “Should I stay home or go away to school?”  If you have the option of going away first ask yourself what the advantages are for going away.  It seems today like many people are going away because their boyfriend/girlfriend is going to that school, because it’s what’s cool, or going away to party.  If you’re having trouble deciding whether you should go away or not, below are some things to ask yourself.

• Am I going to school to fully get an education? Many students find themselves coming back home due to poor grades.  Going away isn’t just a nice party its work. 
• Can I be away from home, friends, and family for that long?  If you often get home sick when you leave for periods of time, going away probably isn’t for you.  Yes you can always come home but how far away is the drive? Always keep that into consideration.  Once you’re there, you’re there.
• Can I leave my job and stop earning money?  Once you go away it’s more than likely you will have to quit your job.  Yes you may always have that opportunity to come back around the holidays and summer, but not all year.  Are you okay without having an income?
• Are you able to get along with people real well?  When going away to school it’s very often students have to share dorm rooms with other students.  This may be a problem if you are hard to get along with.  People often have problems with having a messy room mate while the other is very organized, or the room mate coming over with friends and being loud leaving you not able to study.  Are you ready to live with someone you don’t know? 
• Is going away to college affordable to you?  Often students can take basically the same class for cheaper at a community college.  Find your budget and write out the estimated costs before you enroll.

There are many things to consider when going away to college.  Whenever you come to a big decision making write out the pros and cons on a piece of paper.  This will help you realize what has more for the situation.  Going away to college is a big thing; make sure you do what you want.