When I was picking a college, I chose the most affordable one that would still offer me the best education. I was luckily enough to live in a city with a university in it, meaning that I would be able to live at home and save a ton of money. I'm not going to lie, but I was genuinely upset at first. Your first year of college is especially remarkable because of one thing: dorms. I kept being told that I would not get the full college experience because I would be living at home.
Here are 10 reasons why living at home was actually a great idea.
1. Saving Money
This one is kind of obvious, but when you are a full-time college student working part-time, saving money is a must. Since I lived at home I didn't have to worry about paying for dorms or meal plans. I mean sure, food and gas are still a necessity but I was blessed enough to live somewhere that didn't require me personally paying rent.
2. Home Cooked Meals
I didn't realize how important this was until I ate at the dorms. My friends all lived in dorms and would swipe me into meals on occasion. Dorm food is good, but it's not anything I'd be okay with eating on a regular basis. I mean sure, my university has some quality food and plenty of options, but nothing beats a home cooked meal from mom or dad. I'd take my mom's enchiladas over dorm pizza any day.
3. No roommates
Having a roommate is part of the college experience but I am honestly glad I didn't have to go through it. I'm a very introverted person, not to mention I am very particular about the way things are. I'm also rather messy, and though I can live with my own mess, after awhile it does become irritating. Living at home means dealing with the same people you've lived with your entire life. Having a roommate means living with a stranger and also having to adjust to the way they live in their rooms.
4. No move in day
Move in day is a pain in the butt. Depending on the size of your university, thousands of students are moving in on the same day, to building with limited elevators and doors. Not to mention that you'd have the hard task of deciding what to bring and what to leave behind. I don't know about anybody else, but I have too many clothes to be able to pick which ones to take or leave at home.
5. You wouldn't miss your family
When you live at home, you'll still be around your family so missing the won't be an option. One of the biggest concerns students have when choosing a college is whether or not they'll be close to relatives. Since I still live at home, I get to see my family, even though I am at school a large amount of the time.
6. No change to your daily routine
This was a big one for me. Living on campus would mean that you'd have to be willing to adjust to a new routine. Dorms can be very loud and quite study time in your room may have to be moved to the library or study room. If you're used to staying up late but your roommate goes to bed at 9 p.m., there has to be a little bit of adjustment. Living at home means you get to do the same things you used to, only this time you're in college.
If you're like I am and are upset to live at home during college, remember that it won't be bad. You can still attend all of the school activities, not to mention that your friends that live in dorms can include you in their dorm life. Living at home is a blessing in disguise, and remember that not everyone's college experience is the same. Make it count.
