Live on campus or commute?

Question

I live 15 minutes away from the college I'm going to this September and I heard from a friend that I should live on campus to have a "college experience". It's $10,000 a year for a room (not a big deal though I'm not allowed to have a car) or I could commute and save tons of money. What is this "college experience" and does that mean I'm not going to make as many friends as if I was to live on campus or have a better education?

Answer 1

it seems pretty dumb to live on campus if u live only 15 mins away..if money isnt a problem and ur willing to spend double the amount u would for tuition just to dorm then go for it but id say commute..having the "college experience" doesnt necessarily mean living on campus..just get involved with things on campus and u'll make plenty of friends

Answer 2

At some point, you're going to have to leave the nest. And you absolutely have to learn how to live with other people, besides your parents and siblings (if you have any). It's a very important life skill to have. You should try to live away from home. You don't even have to live in the dormitories if you're worried about the cost. I'm sure you can find an off-campus apartment that caters to students. I have 2 or 3 in the area where I go to school. You can use your financial aid money to pay rent if it comes to that. Plus, paying rent will help to establish your credit. Everyone I know who works at the college I go to says that living on campus is an important part of being a student. When you lie on campus, you make the "freshmen 15" - you meet 15 or so new people within a short amount of time who have a good shot at becoming your new group of close friends. Making connections with others when you're in your first year is incredibly important.

Answer 3

education is the same...do you have friends that will be on campus? did you already meet the girl of your dreams?
you can always meet friends in classor in group or frat or something. it is a shared experience that you should get a sample of. Hanging out at someone else's place you might get a feel for if you wish you were oncampus.

ask how many kids are commuting %% consider finding a roommate to live oncampus one semester or one year. Not having a car on campus, needing to have a friend that does have a car, needing to gather a group of people together so you wont feel stupid walking somewhere..... these are shared experiences that people have. Loving or hating the cafeteria food. during that i dont know anyone.......lost freshman phase... its one of the unique times that freshmen or transfer students instantly make new friends with strangers and somehow create a new support system of friends to last them the year (or all of college or friends that they keeep for life)
in a way living in a dorm is like buying friends... then again frats can be viewed that way too. it works for many people. A friend might give you an IN into these experiences and you still get to live at home... but no matter how crazy cramped or annoying it may seem... its fun when you throw 120 18-21yr olds in the same building with minimal suppervision. strange friendships arise and interesting people are thrown togetheer

Answer 4

In either case, you will have a college experience since many students do live off campus, and often, whole neighborhoods are made up of students (think Isla Vista near UC Santa Barbara).

On the other hand, when you live on campus you have better access to social functions, special events, and study groups (those often occur right in your building and you can go in your pajamas)--no need to look for parking; no worries about the car breaking down or needing repairs; others in your building will likely join you; and because you live on campus, you'll likely become more familiar with the campus and find out what's going on much more easily.

In either case, use good sense and discipline in choosing who to hang out with and how to spend your leisure time: a lot of freshmen drop out not because they lack the academic skills needed to do well, but because "life" gets in the way. Be smart whatever you do, and yes, have some fun by opening yourself up to new experiences, too.

Answer 5

If you live 15 minutes from the campus, your commute won't be too big a deal. You won't spend that much on fuel or the parking permit required to park your car on campus. You'll definitely spend a LOT less than 10 grand a year.

You can still make plenty of new friends without having to live on campus. You'll run into people in class. You can participate in extracurricular activities. Student organizations often arrange special events, which are great for your social life. Oh, and you can always join study groups too.

If you live on campus, you'll probably end up with a roommate. In most cases, you don't get to pick the person (or people) with whom you have to live for 3.5-4 months at a time. It can be great for a sort of "instant social life" thing...but it can really stink if you prefer to meet people at your own pace. (I'm not much of a social person, so I loathed my year in the dorms.)

The actual education won't be affected one way or another. As long as you go to classes, study, et cetera, you'll be learning.

Answer 6

This is a very unique time in your life and I recommend living on campus. When you think about it, how often do you get to live with people your age who share similar concerns, goals, and perspectives in life? Never again!!! Besides all the social events that you may miss out, you can discuss about politics, life, and some random subjects with your cohorts during the wee hours.

I think the best part is the lessons in "human life" because you will meet people from different backgrounds and upbringings. You will be free to engage in conversations that you may not engage with your family member. If you are going to attend "traditional university" where most of the students are housed on campus, I suggest you do the same thing. Otherwise, you may become the outsider, despite your distance from campus.

Answer 7

Okay, this experience is basically being on your own. Staying up late and hanging out without having your parents breathing down your neck.

You will have friends regardless if you stay on campus or if you dont.

The real determining factor is whether or not you are going to get a scholarship. If the school is paying for it and your parents or you wont have to go $10,000 into debt then I say go live on campus. If you are going to be in debt dont do it. Stay at home with the parents.

Alternate solution: Stay on campus for one semester or for a year and decide if its worth $10,000.

If you stay with your parents when you come out of school your peers will be in debt at a higher rate than you are. You will have some wiggle room. And, teh money that you earn more of it willbe yours and not the banks/government.

Answer 8

You will get the same education either way -- but you ensure a kind of social education if you live on campus.

If you have the money to do it, live on campus. You'll get over that "on campus experience" after your first year or two, so don't decide based solely on that.

But it is nice to live with all of your friends and be able to walk to class. *that* is sort of the college experience. studying with friends or watching your favorite shows together -- or, of course, parties with them.

And if you don't have a car, there's no way to commute... sooooo....

I recommend living on campus.

Answer 9

You will make a lot more friends if you live on campus. You will also learn to be more self-reliant.

If you are 15 minutes away -- then you can keep a car at home & have access to it when you really need to get away.

Answer 10

Live on campus! Ahh...sweet supervised freedom! Just take a tip from me, study first then party...lessons learned the hard way.