This I believe,

I believe that moving out for college will be an incredible experience that will give me the independence I have desired. The schools I applied to can be ranked by preference and distance; the University of Berkeley is my first choice and the farthest from home. Even as a senior, I feel smothered by my parents. If I move out for at least the first year of college, I will be able to make my own decisions without always having to rely on my parents.
Whenever I arrive and leave from school or work, I have to call my parents to let them know I am on my way home. I must give them my time-out slip from the end of my shift to reassure them I was actually at work. I literally walk on eggshells whenever I ask to hang out with my friends or participate in school activities; they think I will run away instead and join the circus. I am aware they worry about me, especially since I am the youngest, but I feel sheltered. How on earth do they expect me to learn from my mistakes and experiences if they constantly hold me back?
A handful of my friends, who are familiar with my overprotective parents, say that I will turn into a party animal if I move to Berkeley or Santa Barbara. I beg to differ. Freedom from my parents to me means I do not have to ask for permission to do simple tasks like going to the grocery store. If I want to go to dinner or a movie with friends, I do not have to give them of list of who is going and call them every ten minutes. It will be nice to be able to decide what to do on my free time. Even if I will be able to choose to go to parties, I rather not waste my energy. The party scene just is not my cup of tea. My spare time will be filled with studying, working, and volunteering.
Living away from my parents will benefit them as well; they will not have to worry about me driving back and forth if I attend Irvine or Fullerton. I plan to have a part-time job while in school so they do not have to pay for things I need. I will become more independent and self-reliant. If I allow my parents to hold my hand through every little event in my life, I do not think I will survive by myself when the time comes. I need to move out in order to grow up and learn life lessons on my own.
I believe the only way to take advantage of my first year is to move out and live on campus. I want to be able to have a college experience away from my mom and dad. I love and appreciate everything that my parents have sacrificed and done for me. I understand why I have to call them every couple hours, why I have to go to sleep around nine, and why I cannot be out late with friends. They care about me way more than I realize at times. However, I believe moving out in the fall will truly give me the freedom I have wished for; it is an experience my parents should want me to have.