Rejecting my dream school was one of the best decisions I made for myself.

Although the warmth, beaches, and aesthetic lifestyle of California was always my goal in high school, when I finally got to the point of making my first major adult decision, I chose responsibly.

While the “college decision reaction” videos that come out every year make it sound exhilarating, making a college decision is not glamorous. I found this to be a cold hard truth when my dream school sent me my acceptance letter. It was on that same day that I submitted my deposit and officially committed to school. However, as days went by, I realized just how fast I had made my decision.

I had not only committed to my dream school and life, but I also committed to endless airline tickets, through-the-roof tuition, and non-guaranteed housing. I had also committed to a long-distance relationship, never seeing my dog, and being the lone Midwesterner amongst thousands of Californians. I decided it was time to start looking at other options.

I ended up 30 minutes from Glenview.

I pay almost nothing for my education, I am currently moving out of a dorm I will miss so dearly, and I got to see my partner frequently all year. I got dinner from my parents from time to time, and my dog got surprise-visits.

Although I would never discourage someone from making the decision to fly across the country (I still absolutely hate the winters here and question my life choices every time it snows), I would want them to know it is a heftier decision than just an immediate click when the school logo pops up. Money, post-grad education, and affected relationships may feel like stressors that will just “work themself out”, but they should be the main factors guiding the big decision.

Maybe one day these Chicago winds will send me towards that California breeze. Do not forget that life goes on after college; there is so much more to see outside the perimeter of a school campus.