October 1 , 1998

Kim Thomas
Staff Writer

Some say college is where an individual goes to claim their independence- a place to break free from the jaws and claws of their mom and dad, to become the man or woman they always wanted to be.

This is true for most students, but there are always the few who are not ready to break their parents’ heart (so we think).

These are the students who choose to go home every weekend. 

What motivates these students to get up and go to class everyday?

Come Thursday or Friday afternoon, they are heading home, not to return to their humble abode until Sunday afternoon.

Some will even wait until Monday morning.

Do these individuals still have that high school mentality, or is it that special someone who makes their heart flutter that just so happens to live in their hometown?

Senior Jennifer Tedder, from Germanton, said she has gone home every weekend since her freshman year.

“I go home to see my boyfriend, and I also go to ride my horse,” says Tedder.

She says riding her horse helps her release the stress and tension of the weekday.

Tedder said that she would stay up here if something required her to, such as class work or an extracurricular activity.

As of yet, nothing has sparked her interest enough.

Tedder’s roommate, senior Leanne Morgan from Winston-Salem, also goes home every weekend.

She feels that Boone and ASU have nothing to offer her besides an education.

“I am not much into the party scene, and there are not a lot of things to do unless you go out to get drunk,” says Morgan.

Morgan says one of the most appealing aspects of her home are her horses, since she rides them in horse shows.

Tedder and Morgan both agreed that they are independent women who are not dependent on their mom or dad.

They said their parents are not the reason they opt to go home as often as they do, but that they just prefer being in the comfort of their own home, having everything they need at their disposal.

Some students prefer to work at ASU over the weekend, while some have jobs at home.

Some feel businesses in Boone can’t compete with the wages in their hometowns.

Many students go home for entertainment purposes.  They prefer to go to larger cities to party.

Mark Shoffner, a vocal performance major from Hickory said, “Appalachian is a suitcase college.”

Since ASU is close to home, it is easier for him to work, visit friends and do the club scene in Charlotte.

ASU appeals to everyone in different ways.

Some choose to take advantage of the college scene, while others prefer the more cool, calm, relaxed atmosphere of home.

The ones who have no other choice make the best of their situation.