From being a resident student to a commuter student, I know what each side of the student life is about, the pros and cons of both, and without a doubt I would choose being a commuter student over a resident student any day. I love being a commuter student and I would not change that for anything. Living at home allows you keep your comforts close while pursing your degree.
1. Living at home saves money.
College is expensive. And saving on average approximately $12,000 by living at home, there's no question about it. I'm trying to walk out of college as debt free as possible. As many people believe, you won't get the college experience without living on campus, I can tell you first hand that's absolutely not the case. And after four years, who wouldn't want to save $48,000 if possible?
2. Not having to use a communal bathroom.
I remember one time, I went into a stall and there was blood on the seat and the floor. I know it happens, but clean up after yourselves. It's difficult living with others when their hygiene habits don't meet up with yours.
3. Not having to wear shower shoes
Again with the communal bathrooms, you have to protect your feet from that floor. With so many people sharing a space, germs are everywhere. Shower shoes protect you from germs, like fungi, and bacteria which can cause MRSA. However, at home, your feet are free to touch the shower floor, and nothing feels better than a nice, warm shower in the comfort of your own home with your feet free from sandals, trust me, I know.
4. You get to see your family everyday.
In high school, it's all about leaving home and not having anyone to answer to. But, when you're in need of a cheer me up, no one does it better than mom and dad and siblings. And especially when your sick, there's no one you want more than mom to come take care of you, curled up in bed or on the couch with some homemade soup mom insisted she bring you.
5. You get to see your pets everyday.
Let's be honest, there's nothing that makes you happier than walking through the front door to a pup eagerly awaiting your arrival with a wagging tail, or your older dog starring at the door, wagging their tail and looking at you because sure as heck they aren't getting up. Or coming home to your cat. Or your hamster. Or you bird... you get the point. And then having a little fur ball snuggle up to you before bed. College is stressful, and there's nothing better than having an animal to help you relax, calm down, refocus, and give love to.
6. Home cooked meals.
Cafeteria food, is well, cafeteria food. Not good, but edible. Some days are better than others, depending on the selection, but nothing will up to home cooked meals. You'll start craving your moms broccoli and your dads spinach in no time. Oh yes, and the freshman 15 is real.
7. Having a kitchen.
And even when mom or dad isn't cooking the family dinner, you have plenty of options to cook up yourself with access to a stove and oven, with many more food options, instead of living off microwavable goods, frozen foods if you have a refrigerator in your room, or maybe living off ramen noodles and Pop-Tarts instead.
8. Having your own room.
It's hard to downsize all your goods and necessities to fit into a dorm room. And at home, it's not a problem. There's no picking and choosing what to bring, it's all there. Everything you could ever need.
9. Sleeping in your own bed.
Dorm room beds just are not comfortable, unless have you have a great mattress pad, or you like sleeping on a rock. I know after sleeping away for a few nights, I can't wait to crawl back into my bed and fall asleep. There's just something about your own bed that's too good to pass up.
10. More privacy.
You'll have more privacy at home. You have more space for yourself and your belongings, especially in your own room. You'll never have to worry about your roomie over hearing your terribly embarrassing phone call to your bestie about last night, and then your roomie's friend group getting to hear it too. You'll never have to worry about walking back to your dorm room after a shower wrapped in just your bathrobe, wearing your shower shoes, and hair in a towel to find your roommate gone, as you expected, but find her boyfriend making himself at home on her bed.
11. Storage space at home.
Your clothes can stay exactly where they are. Plenty of closet space and dresser space for all the clothes you could ever have, instead of attempting to fit your clothes in four drawers and a wardrobe not even half the size of your closet back home. Not to mention, all your other necessities of shoes, books, food that you somehow have to find a place for.
12. Better study habits.
It's easy if you live on campus to back to the dorms and sleep between classes, but for commuter students it's almost useless to go home between classes if theres a break from 15 minutes to two hours, which gives commuter student's the perfect opportunity to head to the library to do homework and study during break. It's helpful getting work done during the day and not being forced to pull all nighters to meet the deadlines due like many residents students are forced to do.
