So you’re lucky enough to live in the same city as your firm choice university. If you happen to be reading this article, I believe it is safe to assume it would only be for two reasons. You’re either starting university soon and are debating whether to commute or you’re a second/third year student questioning your stay on campus or the commute you’ve been used to doing. Is it better to live at home when at university? Keep reading to find out the advantages and disadvantages before making a final decision.
So, should you live at home or at university – here are the pros and cons of being a home student.
Pro: Saving Money
As a country, we are already bearing the brunt of the current cost of living crisis, so saving money whenever possible is essential. Now, imagine moving out to another part of the city in the pursuit of independence only to discover the costs are much more than your pockets can bear. You tell yourself you can make ends meet and secure a part-time job only to find that once term time starts, you’re struggling to balance giving both 100% effort to your job and degree at the same time. Of course, everyone is capable if they strive to of balancing both, but if you happen to live close enough to home, maybe living at home should be an option you strongly consider.
Although costs will surely accumulate from travelling, such as an Oyster travel card charge, this is a minor price to pay in comparison to the cost of a student accommodation. London is notoriously known for being one of the most expensive cities to live in as a student, something very much worth considering when deciding whether to commute or live on campus.
Con: Draining commutes
Although commuting in London can prove to be cost-efficient for students, it can also be very draining. If you’re someone who struggles to wake up early and needs to sleep in a little longer without the fear of being late, then living on campus may be perfect for you. Ideally, you wouldn’t want to commute longer than 45 minutes from home to university. However, your choice university might require you to go quite the distance, whether that might mean travelling an hour or two multiple days a week. If the thought of studying for your desired degree isn’t enough to get you up much earlier in the morning than your classmates or motivate you to keep coming in, then I’d strongly suggest living on campus.
Pro: A taste of independence
Moving away from home and into student accommodation can be considered as the first step taken towards the path of independence and early adulthood. It would likely be your first time being away from home on a daily basis. For the first time, you would have sole responsibility for yourself. Cooking, cleaning and paying bills. A trial period before entering true adulthood in the work world upon your eventual graduation. Moving into student accommodation would be beneficial for any young person looking for a sense of independence or desiring their own space.
Con: Making friends is hard
It’s hard enough to make friends in a new learning environment, especially at university. More classmates but fewer hours to connect and communicate. If you happen to live on campus, the tough task of making new friends might be easier since you’ll already be living with new people and hopefully manage to make a friend or two. Also, the opportunity to make friends through your housemates and at nearby campus social events. Despite the opportunities to make friends on campus, this may still prove to be hard for students who are more introverted and struggle to put themselves out there in social situations.
For students who live at home, making friends may prove to be a struggle. Whether you’re an introverted or extroverted student commuting, in order to make friends, those students will likely have to make their way onto campus for social events in order to make friends. Although it is natural for students to want to socialise, this may prove costly on top of what they would be spending monthly to make their way to university, depending on the distance. This could prove to be beneficial if going to events pays off as a tactic to connect with fellow students.
Pro or Con?: Living with new people
Living with new people can be beneficial. It can allow you the chance to connect with people you likely may never have crossed paths with if not being assigned to the same house. Connecting with your new housemates could possibly introduce the opportunity to network to collaborate on assignments where that is permitted or outside projects in relation to film, design, creative writing and other creative degrees.
In theory, students would love to get along with their new housemates, but in reality that simply is not guaranteed. Everyone is different. Different personalities, likes and dislikes. This might make for an uncomfortable living environment. If you’re somebody that prefers living alone or being around friends and family, then maybe moving into a student accommodation may not be the wisest choice.
There you have it. A list of the advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding the one big question every new student has on their mind. Is it better to live at home when at university? Hopefully, this article has been helpful in making this decision.
