<p>that would almost make it more lonely</p>
<p>OP,
While I think I would have given S the option had we been that close, I can certainly see your parents point. S had a completely different Soph year that Fr when he lived in dorm and Jr where he lived 1 block from campus. Even living 2 miles from campus made a big difference in his activity at campus events. I would suggest you jump in with both feet & get involved to help with the anxiety of being away from home and take your mind off it. That will help you deal with the illness, too. I think your parents are helping you ease away from the nest so it isn’t so difficult when you finish school.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, I don’t think I’m being insensitive when I tell you upfront that I wanted to commute as well. Moreover, I was going through depression and anorexia (in addition to being an extreme introvert), so the last thing I wanted to do was to go to a place where I wouldn’t necessarily be in control. In fact, I would argue that I had a much greater reason to stay home than some vague “stress” which you have yet to elaborate on. However, like I said, I knew that eventually I would need to grow up. Of course college isn’t a guarantee that you’ll become more independent, etc, but it sure as heck gives you a better chance to do so then being a hermit at your parents’ house forever.</p>
<p>I still don’t believe living on campus forces someone to “grow up.” I can certainly say I had a more mature outlook on life and responsibility than many of my classmates whose biggest concerns of the day were often “what should I eat?” or “where are we partying tonight?” After all, I always had to work (a few semesters I worked full-time) while being a full-time student. I am paying for my own education with student loans. My parents wouldn’t have paid for my dorm, or even tuition, so living on campus would have only put me farther in debt and would have been a poor decision on my part if I would have dormed just for the “college experience.”</p>
<p>For half of my life now I have had severe depression and anxiety, chronic pain and chronic fatigue due to a specific illness, as well as severe scoliosis. I know what it’s like to have physical and emotional pain most of the day, everyday, as well as being very tired and, well, feel miserable much of the time. I don’t personally believe that living at home or living on campus will change that. Living at home might accommodate your condition better. But living on your own might allow you to live a healthier lifestyle, as I stated before. It can vary greatly based on the experience you have on campus, for better or for worse.</p>
<p>If you do end up dorming, the best thing you can do is explain your condition to your roommate ahead of time and hope they will be understanding. If not, you’ll just have to find a new roommate as soon as you’re able. </p>
<p>And as someone else said, if you do commute, there is no need to go home right after class. You can join study groups and clubs and still take in much of the experience without living there. And I don’t know many students who talk about class discussions over dinner - really? This is much more common in graduate school than undergrad, so I don’t think you’d be missing out much on that.</p>
<p>Luke- I don’t think it is necessary for me to reveal anymore information than I already have about my condition…as i said before it is a chronic illness i have anxiety as well which makes everything worse. i’m not saying I’m miserable living at school right now, i can come home whenever i please, which i don’t even do. I would just rather commute next year. I see where my parents are coming from, they have already supported me and want what is best for me. They don’t think that living at home is the best decision for me. I understand everyone’s point on getting the “experience”, “leaving the nest” but at the end of the day my health and happiness are the most important things</p>