When deciding on a college, I chose the option farthest from home. For many incoming first-years who want to stay in their hometown, such a decision is unfathomable. But in retrospect, packing my bags and attending Fordham University, 751 miles from home (according to Google Maps), was the best decision I ever made. A much-appreciated fresh start. 

Thus, a piece of advice for any prospective college student is to deeply consider spending the next four years far from home. I understand the importance of hometown ties. I grew up with a single mother and two siblings, who were the only family I knew. I attended a small private school, with life revolving around the same group of friends. Truth be told, saying goodbye was not easy. But in a crucial act of self-development, going far from home prevented me from remaining the same person I had been before. 

I am not suggesting that you should be ashamed or disown your life’s beginnings. On the contrary, I am quick to defend my upbringing and wear it with pride. High school was an exciting time in my life, yet I understood that once I turned my tassel in late May, the era was truly over and it was time for me to leave the bubble that had given me so much. The classic metaphor of a bird leaving its nest comes to mind, however cliché it may sound. The effort poured into every assignment, test and extracurricular had given me the opportunity to leave. It would have been disrespectful to myself to choose a “safety school” and stay local with little risk or upside after all my toil. 

A piece of street art by artist Benny Cruz aptly sums up my life since choosing Fordham: “New York is the end of your past and place of your rebirth.” Seeing the phrase in person on 14th Street and then again countless times on social media resonated with me. New York, or more specifically, Rose Hill, indeed marked the end of my past and thus became the place of my rebirth. The phrase is universal among college students far from home, who have the opportunity of a lifetime to reinvent themselves and become someone new. 

My own lived experience is a testament to the upside of attending college on a new frontier, which I preach so heavily. Though I have only been through one of eight semesters at Fordham, I have already found my place at Rose Hill. An internship found through Handshake, classes and student organizations like The Ram keep me occupied and excited to start my day. But I also find excitement in more trivial activities, like walks around campus and lounging around with friends. Fordham has now transformed into a second home because I allowed it to. 

My advocacy for choosing a college far from home would be incomplete without stressing the importance of guidance. My teachers, Mrs. Barnes and Mr. Goulding, believed more than anyone that I would choose the right school for my future self. I attribute my happiness with choosing Fordham to their much-needed advice. I put many hours of contemplation into my decision, but ultimately their advice helped finalize it. When faced with such a grand decision, the value of a caring mentor is immeasurable. 

Choosing a college ultimately requires one to think about the grand scheme of life. The aspirations we hold deep in our minds often require us to make dramatic changes, such as moving far from home. College is an amazing time to do this. Wherever your life endeavors take you, just ensure it ends your past and serves as the place of your rebirth.