<p>I am currently a student at a community college, and I drive about 45 minutes to get there 2-3 times a week. I'm graduating in May with an Associate's degree that I will be transferring to a University. The hardest decision for me, even more difficult than choosing a school, is the housing situation. I don't know whether I should live on-campus or commute to school. Room & Board are expensive. I know this. So my family is thinking I should commute. Here's the part that sucks... I live 70 miles (1hour 20min drive) from one of my school choices, and a little over 50 miles to my two other choices (about an hour). I also must have a job, because am responsible for a $265 payment every month for my vehicle, plus $130 monthly insurance. What are your suggestions? Is anyone in a similar situation?</p>
<p>Also, if you want my personal opinion, I don't like commuting. I waste almost 2 hours commuting on the days that I drive to school, not to mention filling my gas tank isn't a cheap thing. And I feel that if I live at home, I will be missing out on an experience that I'd like to have.</p>
<p>I could discuss this topic all day, but I'll stop there.</p>
<p>Given the rising price of gas everywhere, you need to factor that cost into the cost of attending school and living at home. Yes, you will have your job, but you could find one closer to school if not directly on-campus if you live at school. Also, could you consider giving up your car if you did live on campus, use public transportation, etc, for the next couple years? Room and board costs money when you live at home too, you just don’t notice the costs as much. There is something to be said for living at school…late night hours at the library or lab, formal and informal study groups that add to the “out of classroom” learning experience, the ability to get really involved in campus clubs, organizations, etc that could add to your resume that you can’t get involved in if they meet at night and you have to worry about a long drive home even later. I would say, if it’s doable with small sacrifices, it is worth living on-campus. If it just can’t work out financially without a lot of debt, etc, then sure, you will still get an education, and it is what it is…Plenty of people do well and live at home, but I don’t know how many have such a long commute, and face such high gas, car maintenance, etc, expenses as a cost of that commute.</p>
<p>It sounds like you want to get out of the house and go live at the university. The question is if it is at all possible. It will definitely be more expensive than living at home. Especially for your parents because they are probably not paying for your gas or for car repairs. You do have to face the fact that it could be too costly for them to handle, paying for classes as well as the room and board charges.</p>
<p>Are there any other options about the driving? Can you take a bus or train where you need to go? That would give you study time going back and forth. Another idea is to try and share a house with another student.</p>
<p>If you have not met anyone at the school yet, then give it some time to meet people once you are there. You might make friends that want to share an apartment. When the rent is separated between a few people it cuts down on expenses a lot. You could get a job near school and work more because you are traveling so much less.</p>
<p>You might be at the point now when it is time to move out. That is a lot of driving back and forth. You will not only be using up a ton of gas and wearing down your car, you are also using up a lot of energy. Driving is tiresome, so is working and going to school. It could be dangerous if you get overtired and then drive on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Have you considered staying on campus and selling the car. It might sound horrible at first but could be the best idea yet. You most likely won’t need a car if you are in a school that has a good transportation system. You won’t have to work to pay for the gas, car payment, and insurance/maintenance either.</p>
<p>You might suggest this idea to your parents and see what they say. They might be surprised that living on campus is that important to you and decide to give their blessing. They probably will not want you to give up the car either because that would mean they need to go and pick you up on occasion, so the car should be secure!</p>
<p>Living on campus sounds like a great idea. Is it possible for your parents to pay for it? If that is a possibility then there are reasons that you need to list to try and make that happen. It is important though that if you are asking then to cover something that big that you increase the amount of responsibility that you have.</p>
<p>You will need to get another job near school of course. Possibly you should try to pay for some of your own expenses through the job. Paying for your own food is a start. Your parents will appreciate the extra effort and the fact that you are using what was driving time before to assist with your own care.</p>
<p>There will be so much going on at school that you need to be involved in. There will be clubs and sports that are fun but having access to the library, tutors and study groups is very important. Obviously you are a serious student because you made it through the community college well enough to quality for a university spot. That says a lot.</p>
<p>It all depends on your unique situation.</p>
<p>In terms of money, it is usually less expensive to live at home.
And you often miss the parties and other time-sucks/sleep deprivors that you’d have to put up with if you lived in a dorm.</p>
<p>On the other hand, your parents might not know what university life is like and not realize how important it is to focus on your studies. If they are always dragging you out to dinner parties with the neighbors, asking for help shopping, asking for a thousand errands around the house–to the point that you are not getting any time to study–then you are better off in a dorm. Plus, in a dorm there are always classmates and other students you can go to for help.</p>
<p>You need to consider the cost of fuel, car, insurance, wear and tear on the vehicle. According to most corporations it costs 45 cents a mile to pay for all of these expenses.</p>
<p>SO lets say you choose the school that is 50 miles from home. That is 100 roundtrip or $45 per day x 4 days $180 per week or $720+ per month. Surely you can live on campus for this amount. If you folks bring up the cost of meals, tell them you have to eat no matter where you are.</p>
<p>??? your car sell it, you dont need the expense. If your parents want you to drive home? Tell them to pay it.</p>
<p>Simple as that.</p>
<p>I commuted for the first half of my freshman year- an almost 40 min. drive each way. I thought it would be doable since it was basically the same drive I’d had to my high school.</p>
<p>Instead, I felt isolated and mentally exhausted. I basically lived out of my car and I never had enough time to get homework done. I didn’t believe the people who said living on campus was essential to the college experience until I tried it myself. I can actually make it to study groups and club meetings if I want to go, my friends live down the hallway or on the next floor, and I still have a car, so I can leave campus whenever I want.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I’m going to stay on campus. I’m going to do everything I can to make it work! I really don’t like commuting, and I do want to be involved with campus activities and I want to be a better student. Plus I want to have this experience; this is the only oppurtunity I will have to do this! Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it. :)</p>
<p>That commute time will wear on you so I think you need to be near campus. Not only do you need to be studying, you need unwinding time. And you really should immerse yourself in your community and not be so isolated from them. But bear in mind you may get a cheaper deal off campus. My daughter saved a great deal of money by living off campus junior and senior years, and she got a place in walking distance. Check that out with roomies. And see if you can get a job on campus. At least the dining hall will give you a free meal each shift.</p>