Commuting from home; 1 year to graduation. Should I move out now?

Student Lounge College Life
1

For the last 7 semesters I’ve commuted to college. Scholarships have paid my tuition and my parents let me live at home for free, so I’m on track to graduate with zero debt. (I’m graduating in the fall.)

The problem is that during those 7 semesters I’ve made no friends and had no social life. I never stuck around campus later than about 6PM because my parents would get worried/upset at me, and I really really didn’t want to start a conflict with them. Besides, by the time classes ended, I was usually tired and ready to come home anyway. I learned to put up with parental nagging like “it’s cold, put on a hat”, “put on a nicer pair of shoes”, etc. Now I’m a senior, and I don’t have a single person I could randomly contact, talk to, or hang out with. I don’t think that’s normal for a 21-year-old. The thought of the money I’m saving just isn’t a motivator like it used to be.

So I calculated that I have enough money to live on my own for the Spring semester (and then get a job over the summer to replenish my bank account). My parents unenthusiastically said they could help me a little monetarily if I wanted to move out and I have a dilemma.

Part of me really wants to move out now and get a bit of the “college experience” before it’s too late, but I can’t justify it financially. I live close to campus already. Why do I want to spend money to live with a bunch of strangers in a house/apartment when I can get meals and my own bed/bath at home for free? Plus I feel guilty taking money from family when I’ve already saved them ~98% of college costs. And I’m planning to move out as soon as I graduate anyway, so what’s the point? Why can’t I be patient?

But I still can’t shake the desire to move out now. I’m conflicted between my financial/practical sensibilities and my heart. What should I do? My parents think I’m being a bit unreasonable. Am I?..

2

As a parent:

You are looking what you don’t have, not what you do have.
You are going to graduate debt free…that is a tremendous gift. In a few years you will be happy for that and won’t really care what happened senior year.

Also lets look at the time frame. You are a senior…are most of your classmates going to graduate in May? and you will graduate next December? Then most of your classmates will be going away…who will you hang out with?
Are people who are about to graduate looking to make new friends? Or will you make friends with Juniors?

Logistics: Many apartments have a one year lease. Will that work out for you?

Let’s say you did rent an apt…If you get a job right after college (make sure to find out at the career office the best to interview for your major) you will move to a new apt. But if you don’t, woudl you have to move back home?

Another way to try to make friends is through the Commuter Club…go to some activities/hangout in the commuter lounge. Join clubs/service groups to meet people. Form a study group.

Another way to :“move out” is to live with another family member? or Family friend?

3

I’d stay at home debt free, but try to join a couple of clubs. Tell your parents that you have done that and may be staying on campus more often in the evening.

4

As you said, it doesn’t make sense to move out now when you’re about to graduate. It’s also a little late for socializing because your senior year is about finding a job.

5

^Kinda late for the “school friends”. Make friends where you will be working

6

If the school is mainly commuter, there is probably no advantage to living there. If it is mainly residential, the best time to live on campus is frosh year. There is probably little or no social advantage to moving there at this stage.