Should I live on campus or at home for spring 2021?

I’m a freshman at UMASS Amherst. Fall 2020 was completely remote so I’m at home right now. Honestly it’s not too bad, just really boring. UMASS just announced the plan for the spring and they’re allowing first year students and students with in-person classes on campus again. I have one in person class (a lab for biology) but I just don’t feel like it’s worth it if I’m just going to be sitting in my room 90% of the time.

If I stay home I can save roughly 7k because I won’t be paying for room and board, and I can also work. It’s also nice to have my family and high school friends around. But I’m also afraid that I’ll be missing out if I don’t go… I’m in a residential program and it looks like the majority of the other kids are planning on going, I’d hate to be the only one at home. Housing applications aren’t open until November at least but I still have no idea what I’m going to do. Any thoughts?

I would live on campus, for the chance of meeting other students and to experience college life, well worth the 7k. Online learning is just inferior. I hope that all college students are allowed to go back. Hopefully the UMass’s invite-back plan for its spring term will happen.

It isn’t an easy decision! DD is away at school as a firstyear now, classes are half inperson, half remote. Meeting people has been tough since many meetings and events are virtual. Spring semester looks like she will have all remote classes and is trying to decide if she should go or stay home. Good luck ?

Will you have to take loans for that 7k? if so, stay home.

If you were home, do you have access to a car to get around?
What about at school? Will you be more stuck on campus?

What is the chance they would close the dorms if there are too many cases?
How far away is your college? Would it be easy for you to get home?

Have you been trying to “make friends” with anyone in your classes now? By studying/working on homework together?

S20 is a freshman on-campus at Georgia Tech. It’s not ideal but I think our family would all agree it was the best choice. He’s lucky. Most of his classes are in-person in some form. He’s also been involved with some campus organizations, managed to see two football games and made some friends. Is the college experience watered-down right now? Yes, but it’s still better than living at home for him…and yes, we do get along pretty much as a family.

If you have to take loans then I probably wouldn’t go on-campus yet. I would also consider food and car options. GT isn’t known for it’s accommodations but the dining has been a little worse than usual. Also, the campus buses haven’t been consistent so S20 is considering taking his car for spring semester.

if you only have one in person class and there’s a chance it might get canceled stay home. especially if lots of facilities on your campus are closed. you’ll find so things that aren’t worth it and constantly be evaluating whether or not the 7k was worth it. covid restrictions at my college are so strict, even with everyone getting tested once a week we’re not allowed to go to study spaces or gather and all clubs are virtual. I’m moving home next semester because all I do is sit in my dorm and it’s getting pretty lonely and depressing. all the friends I’m making are internet friends at first and it just adds another level of awkward so I figure I’ll come back to campus when things are more normal. it might suck at times but I’d definitely urge you to save your money unless you cannot continue to work from your home, especially if you have family and high school friends there!!