The fresh, clean slate of going to college creates the perfect backdrop for coming out of the closet. Obviously, everyone comes out in their own unique and courageous way, but the college atmosphere just makes the process a tinnnnnyyyyy bit better.

We’re not here to judge the timing of when anyone comes out, and hell, there are definitely cons to coming out in college as well. But all in all, here are 15 reasons why coming out in college may actually be the best.

1. You’ve officially left that small, conservative town

2. And the liberal vibes of college help you feel more comfortable in your skin

3. You can be unapologetically you

4. The dating pool is SO much larger

5. And your friend pool is SO much more diverse

6. You can experiment without judgement[iframe https://giphy.com/embed/tmimeuPyr4fUA allowfullscreen="" class=^{{"giphy-embed"}}^ frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" width="633"]

7. There’s a built-in college support group found in the many clubs, sports teams, fraternities, and sororities[iframe https://giphy.com/embed/xT5LMSsPaOyvsuLFE4 allowfullscreen="" class=^{{"giphy-embed"}}^ frameborder="0" height="240" scrolling="no" width="633"]

8. The stigma associated with coming out is a lot less heavy than in high school[iframe https://giphy.com/embed/3o7TKLdVTyAIRndPwc allowfullscreen="" class=^{{"giphy-embed"}}^ frameborder="0" height="300" scrolling="no" width="633"]

9. Probably because college is so much bigger, and if someone doesn’t accept you, there’s thousands of other people who will

10. There’s no pressure while dating in college. For the most part, everyone knows everyone is dating around, and that’s super beneficial

11. Playing the field is a much needed step in learning about yourself and how you interact in new same-sex relationships

12. You have the opportunity to confide in others and build confidence a safe distance away from those, like your family, who you have yet to tell back home

13. When the time is right to come out to your family. It’s perfect, because you can always go back to school and let them sit and digest this news appropriately[iframe https://giphy.com/embed/WscpcIvaAE3uM allowfullscreen="" class=^{{"giphy-embed"}}^ frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" width="633"]

14. Bullies in college are much easier to avoid (depending on how large your school is)[iframe https://giphy.com/embed/3o85xGoIu3m5AtdJcY allowfullscreen="" class=^{{"giphy-embed"}}^ frameborder="0" height="530" scrolling="no" width="633"]

15. You’re more mature in college and able to realize that this is just the start of a coming out cycle you’ll have to address often throughout your life

What was your college coming out experience like? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!