<p>As you probably suspected, I am the parent of a prospective student. We live in northwest NJ (Morris County). I realize that going home on the weekends, or at least some, differs from student to student, but does anyone know if this is a common practice among kids living in the metropolitan area or not typically done unless it is a longer break?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I had a lot of people on my floor who lived in NJ, CT and NY (one of my friends even lived on ~215th st), and none of them hardly ever went home on the weekends unless they had to (for a family function) or unless it was around finals/midterms and they wanted a quieter environment.</p>
<p>A lot of kids are from the NY metro area (the city, NJ, LI, Westchester). I knew a few who would leave campus every Thursday afternoon not to return back until Sunday night. Some didn't see their parents unless it was a longer break. Most of the local people seemed to go home once every few weeks, and not necessarily for the whole weekend (a day or two maybe). Your kid will do whatever he/she wants.</p>
<p>Yeah, people do either/or. There were some whose parents lived around the corner but would never go home; others would go to New Jersey whenever they had laundry to do.</p>
<p>Freshman year i used to go home about two weekends a month but i would usually leave on saturday and return on sunday. My advice to the parent asking this question is that you should not pressure your kid into going home on the weekends because you tend to miss out on things if you go home...especially if it is on a thurs night...it should ultimately be their choice....needless to say, i started going home alot less frequently sophomore and junior year.</p>
<p>I'll be commuting from Morris County. I decided not to apply for housing because it's so hit-or-miss (I'm in GS) and the commute isn't really that bad. My friend's daughter goes to NYU- she comes home every weekend and has never mentioned that she feels like she's missed anything by doing so. As it's been said, it really depends on the kid.</p>
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I'll be commuting from Morris County. I decided not to apply for housing because it's so hit-or-miss (I'm in GS) and the commute isn't really that bad. My friend's daughter goes to NYU- she comes home every weekend and has never mentioned that she feels like she's missed anything by doing so. As it's been said, it really depends on the kid.
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<p>The social life / experience being an NYU and/or GS student is quite different than being a "regular" Columbia undergrad. You'd probably miss more if you were a Columbia student going home all the time.</p>
<p>We live in NE NJ, and i basically told my son that I didn't want him going there unless he committed to not coming home very often--it can be tempting when it's that close, and especially the first year, you want them becoming part of the college community. BAsically, he only came home for a couple family emergencies/functions (and then being nearby was helpful) but the vast majority of weekends, he stayed there.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone who responded. Obviously, it will be my son's choice, but he has mentioned to me that he would like the ability to come home, not that he would necessarily do it. I am fine with whatever he wants to do. In fact, he has looked at schools 11 hours away by car. However, in that case, he mentions that the distance was a negative factor for him. I have a disabled daughter, who is very attached to my son, and he even helps out in her therapies. So, everyone's situation is unique.</p>