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SBU | Life > Academics

Should I Stay Or Should I Go? 

Alexis Garmong Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

In less than two months, I will graduate from college. Next fall, I will start graduate school. By January, I will have to apply to the programs I choose. But what if I don’t know what to choose? 

Don’t get me wrong, I know what schools I am interested in and why I want to go to them. But many factors go into making a decision that will change the trajectory of my life, and as a perfectionist, I refuse to make the wrong choice.  

Here is my dilemma:  

I have a (good) job that requires me to be close to home, four little siblings, and an already heaping amount of debt, but I don’t know if staying home is right for me. There are plenty of amazing online programs that would be a great fit for me, but the idea of staying home makes me feel like I’m giving something up. That’s because in many ways, I would be. I’d be giving up the benefits of learning in person, having new experiences, traveling to a new city, meeting new people, and gaining unique opportunities.  

But is it right to want more when I don’t necessarily need it?  

By going away, I’d also be giving some things up. My family is a huge part of my life, and watching my siblings grow up is important to me. I have a good job, and finding one that fits into a college student’s schedule is not easy. Plus, graduate school is expensive on its own, so paying for housing seems daunting and may not be the most practical decision.  

I am having trouble telling the difference between making a smart choice and holding myself back. I stayed close to home for undergraduate school, and I have loved my experience at St. Bonaventure University, but I think I may be ready for something different.  

Either way, I know I will be happy wherever I end up if I am learning and preparing myself for a career of helping people. But I do wish I had some insight into the future so that I could make the choice that is best for me. Unfortunately, I do not know of any seers, so I am going to have to live off my intuition and trust that I can flourish no matter where I am. 

One thing I do know is that until I make my final decision, I will be listening to The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” on repeat.

Alexis Garmong

SBU '27

Alexis Garmong is an editor of the St. Bonaventure University chapter of Her Campus. She writes and publishes weekly articles centered on topics like mental health and wellness, popular culture, and lifestyle. Beyond expressing herself and gaining writing experience, she aims to lean into the shared support, confidence, and sisterhood that Her Campus SBU has to offer!

Outside of Her Campus, Alexis Garmong is a senior majoring in psychology with a minor in communication. She was previously a journalism major, and this facet of her identity is demonstrated through her advocacy for ultimate truths and rights like Freedom of Speech. She is interested in philosophy, theology, and any subject that encourages one to look at the world from different viewpoints.

In day-to-day life, she enjoys listening to a massive variety of music genres and updating her Apple Music playlists accordingly. She loves films, fashion, art, literature, spirituality, animals, and nature. Her ultimate inspirations in life are Anna Karina, Audrey Hepburn, and Michael Cera. You can usually find her listening to Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath, hanging out with friends, or lounging with her cat, Khaleesi.