I'm Living at Home in College, and That's Okay
Start writing a post
Student Life

I'm Living at Home in College, and That's Okay

I couldn't be happier that I made this decision, because I know it's perfect for me

159
I'm Living at Home in College, and That's Okay
Gradeslam

Hi Mom. I'm okay I'm just tired. What's for dinner tonight? Yeah, ok. See you soon. I love you.

Conversations like these fill my phone calls and my text-messages. I am a college student, and I am commuting from home, and that's okay. In fact, I couldn't be happier that I made this decision, because I know it's perfect for me. Living at home, I get the best of both worlds and-Hannah Montana jokes aside- I will never be ashamed of that.

It seems like everyone who doesn't commute, or who did once and stopped commuting, has a negative opinion on it. From the time you're first visiting campuses in high school, you hear the stories from everyone who can tell you.

Oh I used to commute, but I was just going to classes and coming back.

I don't commute anymore because I wasn't getting the "college experience."

Once I left home I knew I was never going back.

Before I started school, when I heard these things, I nodded along and smiled, because they were all the reasons I knew I wanted to dorm. I loved my family, but I couldn't wait to live on my own, start my own life, and call my own shots. Then I actually got to school, lived there a year, and I learned that dorm-life was not for me.

When I hear people's reasons for dorm-life now, I nod. I respect that those things are right for them. But sometimes I feel like it doesn't always go in both directions. When I tell people I changed my status from resident to commuter, I'm met with raised eyebrows and questions like "aren't you tired?"

The answer is yes, I'm exhausted during the week. I'm not going to lie and say I don't miss waking up ten minutes before class and going there in my pajamas. But at the end of the day, it's all worth it. Nothing is more comforting to me at the end of a long day than being able to go home to a home-cooked meal, my own bed, and a hug from my Mom.

I tried the "college experience." It wasn't for me. While I loved chatting in the hall with my friends until three in the morning, college brought lots of emotional challenges, and on my worst days, something as simple as having to eat in the dining hall felt devastating.

I love my life as a commuter. I'm living in happy, peaceful moments every day, making memories I love, rather than only making those memories on the weekends, when I would go home. There's no better feeling than being at sorority recruitment until 11:30, coming home at midnight, heating up leftover fries and watching The Big Bang Theory with my parents.

Yes I commute. And for the longest time, I avoided making the decision, and struggled with being ashamed of it. There's this stigma that you should be eager to leave home and never look back once you hit eighteen. I was worried there was something wrong with me, that I still needed my Mom most days even though I was an adult. But I have no reason to be ashamed, and I will never apologize.

Commuting truly is the best of both worlds. I spend the day on campus: go to my classes, see my friends, sleep in my own bed at night, eat my Mom's cooking, play dress up with my little sister, and spend the weekends with my family and friends from home. Spending college at home, I'm having my perfect "college experience", and I'm living my best life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52197
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33554
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956349
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181236
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments