I have commuted to school for the entirety of my college career and plan on commuting up until graduation day. While living at school seems exciting and fun most of the time, I have heard plenty of horror stories from my friends about the worst parts about living at school. With the help of one friend in particular*, I was able to nail down the top eight reasons why commuting to school isn't as bad as it may sometime seem.
1.) Laundry
Look, I've talked to friends who don't have free laundry, whether they still live on campus or somewhere off campus. Most of them have to save up quarters just to get a clean shirt. Living at home, you don't have to save up my spare change just to get the washing machine running. Plus, you don't have to worry about anyone stealing your laundry. I have heard plenty of horror stories of clothes being taken out of the dryer too early or clothes literally being stolen. That won't happen at home because if it did, you know that the culprit is a parent or a sibling.
2.) Your own bed
I've tried dorm beds before when visiting friends at school. Some really aren't completely uncomfortable. But can you honestly say that you would rather sleep on a mattress that was shared by multiple people before you? I'm sorry, but I'm going to go home from class and take a nap in my comfortable bed at home.
3.) No roommates to work around
Unless you have a sibling that you've shared a room with for your entire lives, you get your own space when you commute. Yes, most people love their roommates and they are their best friends. However, even when you live in an apartment or a suite with your own room, there is still a common room shared by your roommates. Sure, living at home the whole house is common space, but your parents most likely won't be up talking way too loud at 2am when you have an 8am in the morning.
4.) Home cooked meals
Who doesn't miss their mom or dad's cooking when they are away at school? As a commuter, you never have to worry about giving up that food made with love. I cannot even keep track of the amount of times that friends have told me that they're craving a certain meal that their mom makes but have to wait until the next time they go home. When you live at home, all you have to do is put in a meal request for your dad's famous eggplant Parmesan.
5.) You can keep your job at home
The owner of the cafe that I used to work at let me come in just one day a week so that I could focus on school. I was able to work ten to twelve hours a week, getting my hours in all in one day. If I really needed more money, I would just cover a coworker's shift on a weekend that I wasn't completely swamped with papers and studying. Plus, I was allowed free coffee at all times, which was a major bonus for a tired college student. R.I.P Ecoffea.
6.) You don't have to say goodbye to your pets
One of the hardest parts about leaving home for school just has to be leaving your furry friend (Or scaly. Or feathered. No discrimination). When you live at home, you don't have to worry about leaving them to wonder when they will see you next. In my case, since I no longer have a furry friend, I go to my friend's houses to give their pets a belly rub and some love on their behalf.
7.) You're always home for your friends
Has any of your hometown friends gone home for the weekend and you were really upset because you would have loved to be home at the same time to see them? When you commute, you're always home for those spontaneous homecomings that your friends throw at you. Plus, sometimes they'll even surprise you with a homecoming which is always something to be excited and happy about!
8.) SAVING MONEY
I cannot stress this enough. Living at school is an amazing experience, but sometimes people just can't afford it or would rather keep their student loans to a minimum. Commuting is honestly one of the biggest money savers in college and such a great option if you live within a reasonable distance from school. While not ideal for everyone, the savings really do add up and you get the same quality education as your classmates at half of the cost. Not a bad deal if you ask me.
*Special thanks to my friend Kim for letting me in on some of the horror stories of living away at school and helping me brainstorm some ideas for my article this week.
