It is time for you to head off to college and there is nothing more exciting than heading off on your own. There are many difficult changes you will go through and the decision of staying home or living in a dorm can be difficult. I definitely recommend living in a dorm your freshman year, even if just to have the experience of meeting many other freshmen and being close to all of the on-campus action. After your first year you really know who your friends are and who you want to surround yourself with, which means you can make the decision if you want to stay in a dorm or live off campus. Here are a few of the many benefits of being a commuter:
1. You don’t have to pay for dorm expenses or a food plan
Living on campus requires you to spend a large amount of money on a small room and disgusting, unhealthy food for four years. Living at home can be great because you either live with your parents, which is free (hopefully) or you live in an apartment with roommates who help split the cost of living and groceries. Overall commuting saves you a lot more money then what it would cost to live in a dorm.
2. No uncomfortable twin sized bed
If you don’t know what it is like to sleep on a very tiny bed after sleeping in a queen-sized bed most of your life, I promise it is not a comfortable change. Also, if you have a significant other that you spend most of your nights with, you will have quite a difficult time falling asleep and it may be smart to put some pillows on the side of your bed incase you get a little too close to the edge.
3. Head to the library in between classes instead of walking back to the dorm for a nap
That feeling of exhaustion hits at many points of the day but the best thing to do when that happens is buy a large coffee and head to the library. You may not have homework but there is always something you can look over and study. If you head back to your dorm and take a nap you may not always find the motivation to get up and head to class and we all know that will only end up hurting you.
4. No walk of shame through campus
There are times where you just genuinely enjoy your night out and spend the night somewhere unexpected. When this happens it is always a horrifying walk from dorm to dorm just waiting to see a group of people you may or may not know. Driving home after a long night is never embarrassing unless you have strict parents who don’t understand college life. Or judgmental roommates who think you are a terrible person for having fun.
5. You don’t have to go through the awkward experience of living with a random roommate
The first day moving in to your dorm is the easiest. Hopefully you have already found out your roommates name and have been texting them to get to know them a little better before you live together. There will be days that are great and you love everything about this random person and then there will be days you want to use their toothbrush to clean the toilet. Living at home your roommates are your parents or the friends you chose to live with.
6. Not having to deal with random practice fire drills at 4 a.m.
The most annoying situation you will ever go through is having an extremely loud alarm wake you up early in the morning. Many people sleep in clothes that are incredibly inappropriate for a large group of strangers to see. Then they have to grab what they can find to cover up and stumble outside half asleep, for however long the people in charge want to keep you out. If you live in your own place you will sleep in peace throughout the entire night without the fear of abruptly waking up to painful noises.
7. You decide your surroundings
Whether you are a person who enjoys using most of their nights staying in and studying, or going out and spending time with your friends, it becomes difficult living on campus. If you have friends that go out often and party they will head straight to your room to convince you that you are being lame and need to go with them. Studying home and at the library become a lot easier when you commute because you have that option to be away from everyone and turn off your phone without worrying someone is going to show up on your front door.
8. Live in your own place or with your parents
Living at home with your parents is great because who doesn’t love free food and no rent but the reality is you have to eventually learn how to take care of yourself. Having your own place is definitely a big step towards becoming an adult with all new responsibilities. You will have to split costs with your roommates but it is worth it because you learn new ways of spending and saving your money. If you’re new to having your own place it is best to always keep in touch with your parents or live right in between them and your school just for any reason you need their help, need advice, or just some motherly love.
9. You can be involved but still get away from the craziness if you want to
If you are involved on campus or most of your friends live in a dorm you will find yourself spending most of your time there but commuting gives you the freedom to come and go as you please.
10. At the end of the day, you get to go home
The greatest feeling after having a long day is getting home, taking your shoes off, and plopping down on the couch. Eating a home cooked meal and just being in a familiar place can be the very reason to help control your stressful day
