When figuring out your next steps whether it is going to a community college, trade school, state school, or private university, you will need to consider if you will be living on your own or if you plan to still live at home. There are benefits to both, but for this article, we are going to discuss how living away from home could benefit you depending on your financial situation, personality, and resources.
First, you will need to consider if you are going to live on or off campus. If you are a freshman or new to the city/town this can be a great way to meet people. Depending on the school sometimes the university will require freshmen to live on campus for their first year. This will be something you will need to find out once you decide on a school choice. Even if you live off-campus you will still be able to meet people through clubs, sports, and greek-life. Most universities will have fairs during the first week so you can gather information and get a full understanding of what kinds of activities you can participate in as a student. Be sure to get the schedule for the activities fair during your orientation.
The second thing to consider is what is your living expense budget. This will play a big part in deciding if you will be living on or off campus. Living on campus can be two to three times more expensive than living off campus. Like living in a large city you are paying for convenience. Depending on your budget and what the school charges for their on-campus accommodations, living off-campus may be a more viable option financially. Around the college campus, there are various apartment complexes and even people who rent out rooms in houses they own. Staying in someone's home can have its own challenges such as lack of privacy and house rules, but if you are looking to save money this can be a great opportunity especially if you are going to a large city that can be more expensive than a small town.
Lastly, living away from home provides a real-world experience that will prepare you for life after college. It teaches you to be responsible for all aspects of your life (school and finances), how to communicate with your roommate(s) respectfully, as well as how to balance your fun life with your school work. It allows you to break free from parental control - drink soda, watch a movie marathon while writing a paper, or stay up until 5 AM at a party, and then go to an 8 AM class that same day. Living on your own helps you find your boundaries and where you stand as you start to become a true adult with responsibilities.
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