There is an overwhelming negative stigma surrounding commuting to college. If someone says that they commute, they are frequently met with confusing stares and are bombarded with reasons why they should live at college. Dorming is portrayed as this glorious way of life that everyone must indulge in, and if you don't dorm, then you are considered to be lowly.

Although there are some benefits to dorming in college, there are also countless positive benefits to commuting.

1) No social pressure

College is an extraverted environment. If you are someone who enjoys frequent hand outs, partying, and/or socializing, then dorm life is probably for you. If you are introverted, like me, you appreciate alone time, and it is hard for some people who live in college to understand that. One benefit of commuting to college is that you don't have to make up excuses to avoid a hang out or a party, but you are still capable of attending them if you please.

2) Freedom

If you dorm in school, you are (for the most part) confined to the walls of your school and your college town. Many schools don't allow cars on campus for people who dorm, so if you commute, you have the freedom to stay on campus or to travel wherever.

3) Friends and family

If you are fortunate enough to be close with your family and your friends from home, then commuting to college is a benefit because you can spend more time with them. Yes, you will be able to make friends at school, but it is comforting to come home at the end of a long day.

4) Save money

College is obviously expensive. Many people regret dorming after they graduate because they are thousands of dollars in debt. Commuting to school is a great way to save money, and you will probably thank yourself in the long run when you have fewer loans to pay off.

While there are benefits to commuting, there are also benefits to dorming at school. The point of this article is not to bash people who live at school but to shed light on the normalcy and positive aspects of commuting. Everyone should have the freedom to choose how they want to experience college. There is no wrong or right way!