Published: September 18, 2018
Deciding whether to live at home and attend a local university or move away to a new location can be a difficult decision as both options offer quite a different perspective of the university experience.
Everyone has their own personal preference – there’s no right or wrong choice. For various reasons, I’ve always wanted to live at home. In the first few weeks of the new term I did often wonder whether I had made the right decision. It’s incredibly easy to compare your own experiences with those around you on social media platforms such as Instagram. However, it is important to remember that this photo-sharing app primarily showcases the positive highlights, rather than the mundane, unfavourable moments.
So, what are some of the advantages and disadvantages as a first-year student living at home?
Advantages:
• In most circumstances, living at home is cheaper than moving into student accommodation. Although I contribute money every month towards things such as food, I don’t spend as much as my friends who have moved out and pay for rent and other essentials in full.
• Most things carry on a normal, but there will be a few unavoidable changes. For example, you will be introduced to new people, educational surroundings and routines.
• You don’t have to go through the process of moving all your things to a new location and you will never experience homesickness.
Disadvantages:
• Commuting to university can be quite tedious and repetitive, particularly if you’re travelling there and back alone each day. It can also be very expensive, especially if you’re using public transport or your car. Paying for travel tickets, passes and/or car parking charges (and the additional costs such as petrol) can add up. Before you start university, calculate how much it will cost you and if possible, look out for discounts and student travel passes which are sometimes offered by transport companies and the university.
• This disadvantage largely depends on your personality, but I find it rather difficult to form new friendships due to my quiet nature. I no longer have the immediate support of my tight-knit friendship group as we all attend different universities. At school and sixth form things were a little easier for me socially.
• A lack of independence. As you’re still living at home with your parents, you don’t experience the level of independence you would receive living away from home.
• Attending lectures/seminars and heading straight home afterwards does reminisce the days of sixth form/college. Living in a new town or city allows you to explore new surroundings and make a fresh start.
Regardless of where you decide to live and study, I’m sure you will have a great university experience. Make the most of it because time flies!
Topic: Advice and tips