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Living the full college experience

Last updated on March 1, 2016

By: Sara Keen, Editor-in-Chief

 

With the prices of rent, food, and utilities as high as they are in some places, students are reportedly choosing to stay at home with their parents during and after college.  Volunteer State Community College has a variety of students with different approaches to how they live off campus.

If you are considering moving away from your parents, it may be smart to look into the pros and cons first.  The website Simple Dollar (thesimpledollar.com) provides an excellent list on deciding if you would benefit more from moving out or staying.

One very obvious reason to stay with your parents is money.  College is expensive, and so are apartments and houses.  Even the dorms at universities are not the cheapest.

If you live within a reasonable distance from campus, and you get along well with your family, it may benefit you to stay at home.  You would be able to save up some money for the future, and hold off on some of those student loans if you’re really lucky.

It also depends on how you schedule your classes.  Some students choose to only take classes two days a week to save on gas and avoid driving every day.  If you live in close proximity to campus, your schedule may not need to be so specific.

If you are set on moving out, no matter what your reasons, it is also possible to set something up with your parents to help you pay for your new place.   This could be as simple as your parents paying for your cell phone bill.

You may also have to give up some of the luxuries you are comfortable with, such as cable television.  Your money will have to go to bills, rent, food, and gas before anything else.  

Moving out also has its upside.  You get to experience the freedom of living alone.  You also get to find out why your parents are constantly exhausted.  It is a great way to grow up, make your own doctor appointments, and gain your independence.

Moving out also requires some self-restraint.  You cannot always buy that video game you want as soon as it comes out, or maybe you cannot afford going to your favorite restaurant whenever you want to.

It gives you the chance to realize all of your own annoying habits as well.  If you are a slob, then your mom’s nagging might seem a little more reasonable after a while.  If you think that eating an entire cake in one sitting is genius, you will find out why your parents said not to.  

Living on your own can be an adventure, but it is one that you have to be prepared for.  If you are considering moving out, look online for tips on how to prepare for it.  You could change your mind entirely or be as prepared as possible when the time comes.  

After all, college is about making your own decisions and starting your life.  Sometimes the freedom of living on your own is worth it and sometimes it is not.  You just have to find out for yourself.

 

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