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I'm a senior in college and debating living on campus next semester. I dormed for a year at my first college and transferred to a college closer to home, where I've been commuting to since my sophomore year. My commute isn't bad at all and it takes me about 20-25 minutes to get there and back each day. I don't mind commuting, but the idea of living on campus for one last time, at a college I actually want to be at, appeals to me in some way. I'm involved a lot on campus, so it could be worth the money. There's a few pros and cons though:
Pros of living on campus:
-Convenience
-Able to attend more events on campus
-Able to spend more time with friends
-Not having to worry about traffic, parking, or being late
-Wouldn't have to be ready an hour or two before class
Cons:
-Expenses. My parents don't contribute to my tuition, which is paid for with stafford loans. I wouldn't know where to get the extra $4,000 I would need.
-I would be a seasonal employee at my work at home, which means they may or may not give me hours in the summer after I graduate and beyond if I decide to live at school
-I would only be down to one job, I also work in the bookstore on campus 10 hours a week, which doesn't help me out money-wise on its own.
-I would be on my own for finances. My parents have been more generous since transferring schools, and they do help me out with half my gas money, but I know they won't help if I live at school because they didn't the first time around.
Pros of living at home:
-Saving money. If I don't live on campus my last semester I'll graduate with about $36,000 in loans, $40,000 if I do. It isn't a huge margin, but it would be $4,000 less I would need to pay back.
-I wouldn't risk my job at home
-I would still have a little help from my parents
Cons of living at home:
-Would have to worry about traffic, parking, or being late
-Might miss out on being more involved
-Might miss out on spending time with friends
-Would have a slight inconvenience problem
What is your advice? Would it be pointless and foolish at this point to try and live on campus? Would it be worth an extra $5,000? Should I just continue commuting and save my money?
"Expenses. My parents don't contribute to my tuition, which is paid for with stafford loans. I wouldn't know where to get the extra $4,000 I would need."
Well, this is about it right here. I do not see any logic in throwing away this much money just to hang out with people on campus, when you can hang out anyway, the only difference being where you actually sleep at.
"Cons of living at home:
-Would have to worry about traffic, parking, or being late
-Might miss out on being more involved
-Might miss out on spending time with friends
-Would have a slight inconvenience problem"
All BS cons; obvously traffic and being late have not been a critical issue, so why all of a sudden it is? Just to add some illogical reasons to booster your desire to live on campus?
"What is your advice?
Stay at home.
"Would it be pointless and foolish at this point to try and live on campus?"
Yes.
"Would it be worth an extra $5,000?"
No.
"Should I just continue commuting and save my money?"
Yes. Unless there is some other motive for you wanting to live on campus; like you want to get drunk and have sex with random people, and not have to worry about sneaking this lifestyle around your parents when you have to go home.
You have been commuting for 7 semesters... may as well make it 8.
I see nothing to be gained (except debt since you don't have the 4K for housing) by living on campus 2nd semester senior year.
"Expenses. My parents don't contribute to my tuition, which is paid for with stafford loans. I wouldn't know where to get the extra $4,000 I would need."
Well, this is about it right here. I do not see any logic in throwing away this much money just to hang out with people on campus, when you can hang out anyway, the only difference being where you actually sleep at.
"Cons of living at home:
-Would have to worry about traffic, parking, or being late
-Might miss out on being more involved
-Might miss out on spending time with friends
-Would have a slight inconvenience problem"
All BS cons; obvously traffic and being late have not been a critical issue, so why all of a sudden it is? Just to add some illogical reasons to booster your desire to live on campus?
"What is your advice?
Stay at home.
"Would it be pointless and foolish at this point to try and live on campus?"
Yes.
"Would it be worth an extra $5,000?"
No.
"Should I just continue commuting and save my money?"
Yes. Unless there is some other motive for you wanting to live on campus; like you want to get drunk and have sex with random people, and not have to worry about sneaking this lifestyle around your parents when you have to go home.
Wow. Just asking for some advice. Glad you think you know me better than I know myself.
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