My college experience was probably very different than the typical college student’s. For the majority of my time in school, I lived at my parents’ house and commuted. There are some definite pros and cons to living at home during college, and I wanted to share my experience to help any soon-to-be college students that are trying to figure out if living at home might be the right decision for them. College was really hard and I’m really glad I found websites with college thesis papers for sale. These really helped me out and furthered my learning.
My living situations throughout college:
I chose to attend a college that was less than 30 minutes away from my parents’ house because I knew I would want to be close to them still, and the deal was definitely sweetened by the fact that my boyfriend at the time (Husband now), who is a year older than me, was already attending there. My family was pleased with my choice too since my Mom and several aunts, uncles, and cousins graduated from there as well. I guess we all wanted to stay close to home!
I actually started out my freshman year living in a dorm on campus, and absolutely hated it. Don’t get me wrong, it was fun and all, but I am someone highly sensitive to noise and need my alone time, so that combined with not being able to study efficiently meant that it just wasn’t a good environment for me. Since there was such a long waiting list to get into the dorms, I was able to easily move back home only a few weeks into the school year. Talk about lucking out!
I then commuted the rest of that first semester and somehow wound up getting an apartment the second semester of freshman year…. and that didn’t work out well either. Shocking, I know 😉 . I was always going back and forth to my parents’ house anyway for reasons I’ll share below, so we decided to save the money spent on the apartment and I was home again by the end of the school year. My parents are amazing and encouraged me to try it all to make sure I wouldn’t have any regrets about commuting, and I realize I’m blessed to have such awesomely supportive parents!
Now that you know some background on how my college living situation played out a bit, and that I tried a lot of different options before deciding to ultimately commute, I think that probably helps you to understand that I am speaking directly from experience and not just ideas when I talk about the pros and cons of living at home during college.
That being said, there are some definite pros and cons to living at home that I experienced throughout school. I was pretty involved on campus too, so that impacted my experience with living at home more than it would for a typical commuter who only goes to campus for their classes.
Pros of living at home during college:
1. Saving money
This is the obvious one, but I saved a significant amount of money over the years by living at home. Sure, I had to pay for the gas to get to and from school, but that didn’t even come close to the amount that room and board would have cost me.
2. Getting sick less
I got sick a lot less often than many of my peers who lived in the dorms. It makes sense, since living in a confined space like a dorm with many other students where illnesses are prevalent is going to be an easy way to catch a cold or the flu yourself.
3. Less distractions
There wasn’t as much pressure to go and hang out with everyone or get distracted by other fun things while living at home. This made it much easier to keep up with studying and staying focused on my grades. I graduated with a pretty decent GPA, and I think that living at home was a big factor in being able to pull that off.
4. Home cooked, nutritious meals
When I briefly lived in my apartment for one semester, I absolutely loathed cooking for just myself. I also equally disliked having to walk a few minutes to get to the cafeteria when I lived in the dorms. I was fortunate that my parents always cooked amazing dinners and I got to benefit from some delicious homemade meals without any of the effort involved. This was probably one of my favorite reasons for living at home during school! It sounds trivial, but it really made my hectic schedule a lot easier to handle when I didn’t have to worry about what I was going to make for dinner.
5. The adjustment to working full-time was much easier
Since I had become so accustomed to having a daily commute, transitioning to commuting to my full-time job after graduating was a piece of cake. I also didn’t have to transition from the college “lifestyle”, so it made the entire process fairly easy for me.
My college was in the western suburbs of Chicago, and at one point I was also commuting to downtown Chicago via train for an internship 3 full days a week and then my other days were filled with classes, and I had a few nighttime classes on top of that. Although the transition to a full-time job was still vastly different than college life, I think that I was more fully prepared for it after having gone through my experience with juggling commuting and internships on top of school. After the day-to-day craziness that ensued from a few internships I had both junior and senior years, having only work to worry about was actually a lot less stressful!
Cons of living at home during college:
1. Commuting is time consuming and stressful
My drive was only 20-30 minutes each way (plus usually at least 10 minutes to find a parking spot), so it really wasn’t too bad. But it was definitely stressful at times when I was cutting it close for an early morning class and getting stuck in traffic. Finding parking spots on campus was also an issue at times; I have fond memories of getting to school early just for the parking spot and then getting ready and putting makeup on in my car….and I’d look across the parking lot and realize that I wasn’t the only one with that brilliant idea. Hah! Commuting did add some stress to the beginning and end of my days that wouldn’t have been there if I lived on campus.
2. College life is built for those living on campus
I was very involved in activities through school, including being in a sorority. This meant lots of late night meetings where I wouldn’t get home until after midnight because of my commute. College life is clearly built for those living on campus, and I was sometimes envious when some of my friends would get to simply walk back to their dorm or apartment after a meeting or event and I’d have to hop in my car for the drive home. It also meant that I was typically driving to school for something every single day, weekends included.
3. Missing out on the experience of living away from home
This one totally depends on your personality. The short amount of time that I tried out dorm and apartment living, I realized there really wasn’t much I was missing out on by living at home. I’ve never been into going to parties or out drinking, so I didn’t feel as though I missed out on much of those shenanigans by not living on campus, since that lifestyle didn’t appeal to me. It’s hard to tell whether I would feel the same way had I never tried out the dorm and apartment life though. I think because I was able to “experience it all”, I felt more secure in my decision to ultimately commute.
Although living at home during college can somewhat take away from your social experience if you don’t become involved in activities on campus, it really can make the transition into full-time employment go a lot more smoothy and save quite a bit of money as well.
What are your thoughts on the pros and cons of living at home during college? Did you commute like I did?
I lived at home and in a dorm at different times.
I really hope my kids live at home while they go to school. I can probably pay their tuition (been saving since they were babies). It would be great if we could get them through college with no debt at all.
My hubby and I hope our kids live at home too, we both did during college and want the same for our kids. Although if they really wanted to live on campus, we’d be supportive of that too!
I commuted, too! I lived at home the first two years while going to a community college and working roughly 35 hours/week at a coffee shop. Then, I transferred to Arizona State University for my last two years. I commuted the first semester and then moved out the second semester of my junior year (I went home every weekend though, haha). My commute was well over an hour away, so it just made sense to stay in an apartment Monday-Thursday and then come home and work on the weekends.
I didn’t mind living at home at all! I never really enjoyed parties either and enjoyed quiet/alone time.
Great post!!
Hats off to you for working so much during school Sarah, that’s fantastic! Going to community college for 2 years is a perfect way to save money! That does sound like it made a lot more sense, I can’t imagine having to drive back and forth that far away.
I lived at home and went to community college for two years and saved a ton. Then when I got my associate’s degree, I transferred to a university about 30 minutes away, you probably know it, NIU! I could’ve still lived at home with my parents but I wanted a college experience so I got an apartment out there and finished up my degree. It was happy I didn’t have to deal with the stress of communing to NIU like some of my peers but I also had to deal with the pressure of paying rent and bills but I don’t think I would have done it any other way.
Haha you bet! I have a lot of friends that went there. That’s great that you did what worked for you and were able to build the college experience you really wanted!
I didn’t go to college, but I did live at home until I was 23. I was too chicken to live alone, and I didn’t like the idea of roommates. It sounds like you made the perfect decision for your lifestyle needs. Great idea for a post! 🙂
When it came down to it, I was too chicken too in a lot of ways. I hated being alone in my apartment at night (although that period of time was brief, but still). I’m not a roommate person either, it’s all good! 🙂
I wonder why more people don’t live at home while attending college. It seems like such an easy way to reduce college costs. My son, who is 12, is already saying he is going to live at home while going to college. My daughter, on the other hand, is ready to experience freedom;0)
I think it’s a whole “right of passage” Jayleen. It really is the top way to save money during school though. Haha I love that your son is so decisive at 12, sounds like a smart kid 🙂
I went to a boarding school for the last two years of high school, and had gotten so accustomed to living on my own, I couldn´t imagine moving back in with my parents. Don´t get me wrong, I absolutely adore them, and we´re super close, but having my own space, schedule, and routine were things I did not want to give up. In college, some of the dorms were apartment-style, and I was able to get one that I didn´t have to share with anyone, and it was covered by my scholarship. I guess it shows I´m kind of a loner. 🙂 It was the best of both worlds, for me, anyway.
I completely understand that Chela! At this point, I can’t imagine moving back in with my parents either. I drive them even crazier than they drive me at times 🙂 It goes both ways haha.
Great topic! I lived on campus my first year and actually switched rooms halfway through my freshman year. My roommate situation simply wasn’t working out and I wasn’t spending much time at all in my dorm because I didn’t like being there. I lived on a house with a few friends my sophomore year which was a great setup. You really need to live with the right people to make that work. I then lived at home for two years and commuted which worked out fine but basically everything you described as a pro/con is the same things I would list. I started dating my wife sophomore year and she lived at home sophomore through senior year as well so it worked out well.
That’s so awesome that the house arrangement worked out well for you DC! Glad that you see a lot of these as the same pros/cons to living at home.
I pretty much moved out as soon as I graduated. Went to school clear across country. Looking back, I think it would’ve been such a blessing to live at home while going to college- maybe I would’ve finished!
I guess hindsight is always 20/20, haha. But then you might not have met your wonderful boyfriend and have your little prince on the way – everything happens for a reason 🙂
I hadn’t thought about the sickness factor. I just assumed being around so many people in classes would pretty much be enough.
I think it does all boil down to personality. I’m glad I went away to college, though some of that was an unpleasant home environment. I really enjoyed the dorms. I’m an only child, so having people around was nice.
I think it has a chance to really build up in the dorms though, there’s something about using the same bathroom and living space that gives germs a chance to really incubate hah.
I went away for university. (I notice that Americans say college for all post-secondary schools – but in Canada, college and university are different from each other.) I wish that I had stayed at home – but my parents went away to England for a year my first year of university, so I guess that either way, I would have been on my own. The point is, I wasn’t ready for the independence. Of my own three children, two are out of high school, and both have done/are doing their undergraduate degrees locally. My eldest, who did her masters out of town, was completely ready to fly the nest when she moved out. I vote for the “stay at home” option – especially for undergraduate studies.
I do too, Prudence! Although I guess if my kids really wanted that experience of living at school, I would have to let them fly the nest too. That would be my wish too though 🙂
I went away for college, and I think it was the best choice for me. I loved it, even though my introverted personality is such that I probably should have hated it. 🙂 I took a few college classes during my senior year of high school for college and high school credit (at no cost to me), so I sort of experienced commuting from home as well. Fortunately, I got a scholarship to pay for most of the cost of going away to college after graduating high school, so it ultimately wasn’t more expensive. I’m the oldest of four kids and love my family, but I was really craving more independence!
That’s awesome that you were able to knock some college classes out for free during high school! I don’t blame you for craving more independence, I always wished I had more siblings, but I only have one younger brother who was pretty good about giving me space hah.
I lived at home and on my own during college. When I lived at home and went to school I was also taking care of my mom who was extremely ill, and two younger brothers who were still in high school. So my college experience was different than 90% of the people out there. I do however agree that under normal circumstances there are different benefits of living at home.
I have said “I am so fortunate that I didn’t have to live with my parents throughout university. It works for some people but not for me” and it took me a while to figure out WHY.
I moved away and started to grow as a person. Slowly, I learned to try things on my own, to be courageous, to change, and to feel my feelings and listen to my intuition. Don’t get me wrong – my parents are wonderful people, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re significantly above average parents. But somehow I learned to put pressure on myself to be perfect and happy all the time (feelings are not to be trusted and everyone’s judging you) and be like a ballerina: make everything effortless, don’t let them in, don’t let them see, be the good girl you always have to be….
That’s so great that you got to experience that and realize it was the best choice for you Layla! 🙂 Love your nod to Frozen too, my 1-year-old would appreciate that. Haha. Thanks for sharing!!
I live at home currently while in college, and I hate everything about it. I am far from friends, school, and all the fun things. My parents are boring and overly critical. The only reason I haven’t moved out because even if I do move out financially on my own… My parents have said they will not pay for school regardless of the college fund in my name thus forcing me to drop out if I seek even an inch of independence. I am moving far away from Chicago after graduation on my own to New York. The only thing keeping me home is the motivation for a degree.
Marika, that sounds very unfair of your parents but you should be extremely grateful. My parents can’t even afford to help me and they didn’t even start a college fund for me when I was a child so everything is coming from my own pocket and very little scholarships. You probably despise them now but later you will see that you have it made. Just suck it up while at home and appreciate that you also have two parents. It’s all about what you have (free education and healthy parents), not what you don’t have (a party-college life). If you need more independence at home try airbnb once in a while to relieve any stress or spend all day at the library. Wear comfortable custom earplugs if you need to zone out from everything and everyone. Sensaphonics has sleeping ear plugs that are worth every penny (I use them to keep our house of 6 people very quiet and my studying has never been more productive). Believe me, you have it made so be grateful that debt won’t follow you to the grave and you’ll be able to afford living the life you and your parents would want for you.
For college, I moved away, grew-up, did well. Let go moms.
Oh please..
Mom’s, keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing article. Moving out of the dorms means one thing to most college students: sweet, sweet freedom. Living outside the dorms has some great perks, but renting your first apartment or room in a house may require a bit more financial responsibility than you expected.
My experience as a commuter student has been almost entirely positive. I like having a quiet place to come home to after a long day of classes. I’ve never had to worry about being disrupted by unexpected noise or neighbors while studying or resting. And this definitely makes it easier for me to focus on my coursework.
I lived in a dorm during my freshman year and had a very rough time of it. I like sleeping early and getting up early, and this is a very hard routine to follow in a dorm. Also if you are a sensitive sleeper (like me), be aware that dorms are often noisy at night and well into the early morning. There is also very little privacy in a dorm, so that’s something to keep in mind if you need to have alone time. On the flip side, it is definitely easier to get involved in extracurriculars if you live in the dorms. Most clubs at my school meet late at night, after all classes are over, and it’s hard for commuters to make those meetings.
Still, I would say the pros of being a commuter outweigh the cons — at least for me 🙂
I started my freshman year out in a dorm far from home, only to return shortly after due to to mental health issues. I think there’s too much pressure these days to have “the best 4 years of your life” and “college experience”. I remember thinking that my life would finally become happy moving away to college, and it couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Funny how things work though, the perfect academic and social fit for me was just 30 mins away from home… and I originally ignored it because I thought it was too close!
Your article was actually very validating. I, too, went away to school about thirty minutes. And, I’m enjoying my classes and getting involved in the community. However, I don’t like living here. I don’t love dorm life. I miss the freedoms/responsibilities of living at home, like going to the gym early in the morning, deciding what I eat, taking care of my pets, and helping my family. Also, I don’t feel as though I can effectively study here. I’m about a month in, and I wish I could just commute. I actually looked it up and it’s an option for next semester. I talked to my mom. I think she might feel like more confident if I stayed the entire year but said if I feel the same come Thanksgiving I can bring it up with my dad. But, I feel like while I understand and readily accept everything you’ve discussed in your article, everyone is going to say I’m making a mistake.
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