“Making hard decisions in life to accomplish the dreams. It requires guts from within” ~ Mohith Agadi
Overview
Everyone imagines their Freshman year of college as them in their dorm with their roommate, hyped for the “college experience”. Unfortunately, not all of us will get to live on campus, but this doesn’t mean we are missing out. All this means is that we have more control over the experience we get. If you are unsure if you want to commute or live on campus, here is a checklist of things to consider.
Social Life: Commuter or Campus lifestyle?
The first thing that crosses every person’s mind when considering commuting is how am I supposed to socialize and make friends. It is true that it takes more effort to form friendships as a commuter, however, if you plan on being involved in campus activities and clubs, this is not something you will have to worry about. In fact, a lot of campuses help connect commuters with one another to help bridge the gap. If you’re a first generation college student, being involved in your school’s program will also help you feel more connected with campus life.
Affordability: Loans or No Loans?
A big factor, especially if you are a first generation, or a minority college student will be affordability. Not everyone can afford to pay for on campus living expenses. Many students will take out loans in order to pay for this expense, but I would encourage you to consider if this is really worth it in the long run. I’m not saying that commuting is necessarily cheaper than living on campus. The big difference is that living on campus comes with debt you will have to pay back later, while commuting requires you to pay your living expenses as you pursue your degree. Both can be very stressful, however loans taken out by you the student only have a 6-month grace period, which is not enough time to accumulate enough money before interest kicks in.
Future Outlook: What’s your Post Bachelor Plans?
When you are applying to colleges in high school, very few people will ask you to consider what your post bachelor plans are. But I am going to ask you to please consider this. Many students are not sure what career they want to pursue. However, if you want to go to law school, medical school, or obtain a masters after receiving your Bachelor's degree, I strongly advise you to commute to a four-year college or community college for your first two years. This will be the best choice for you because when you go into a graduate program, scholarships and financial aid is extremely limited. With that being said, you do not need to have loans accumulating interest from your bachelors and then add even more loans that will accumulate interest when you go to grad school.
Accountability: Are you mature enough to handle commuting?
The last and final thing for you to consider is your maturity level. I hate to say it, but commuting is not for everyone. It is a lot of responsibility, not only are you going to college, but you are essentially doing everything else that goes along with being an adult. Some of your parents will charge you rent, you’ll have to maintain a car, you have to drive to school every day (and be on time), and not to mention you’ll have to make your own food (I would recommend meal prepping). This is a lot to handle, and I’m not saying students who live on campus don’t have to deal with this, but I am saying that there really isn’t anyone (not even your peers) to hold you accountable.
Conclusion
Choosing to commute is a difficult decision and can be very emotional (it was for me). It is important for you to know that no matter what decision you make, your college experience will be your own. I hope this helps you make the right decision for you!
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