So I am planning on going to UC Berkeley majoring in integrative biology or MCD biology for premed. My parents said I can stay in an apartment/dorm for one year, and then just stay at home. Should I stay in the dorms first, second, third or last year? My parents are saying last year bc it will be the most stressful, but others are saying first?
Are you staying at home because of money concerns? Dorming year 1 is a good chance to meet new people and make lasting connections. I would recommend doing freshman year if you HAVE to live at home for the remaining 3 years.
It doesn’t have to do with money, we can afford all four years. My parents just want me to stay with them(like a joint family type thing). They do want me to stay in a dorm for one year to feel the experience of living near my uni. They were saying the last year bc it will “be harder”?
What do YOU want to do re 1 year vs 4?
I agree with above though that if you’re only living at school for 1 year it absolutely needs to be freshman year.
EDIT: also not really sure what this has to do with pre-med?
why should it be freshman year? and i put premed as a side note in case anyone was wondering
Because freshman year is when people are actively looking for friends the most, you don’t want to be disappearing from campus every night/weekend.
ok thanks. So in the last/junior year, will classes get harder to where I may need to stay near campus for ease of access?
Access to what? Odds are - especially by then - almost every resource you need will be online anyway.
Classes get harder but you get better at being a student. Plus, if things really are “harder” then that’s the year to have someone to do your cooking/cleaning/laundry.
That’s the best chance you’ll have to meet people. All new students living in the dorms are in the same boat. No one knows anyone so everyone is looking to meet new people, etc. It will be your best opportunity to get your social bearings and find your “tribe” IMO.
I don’t know if your last year will be the most difficult. Even if classes are more difficult, you’ll have adapted by then. For me, college got easier as I learned the ins and outs, optimized study habits and time management skills. At that point, you gotten the scoop on various professors, what to focus on and what you should ignore as white noise, and generally have it down to a science. It may also be more difficult to find people to share and apartment with at that point. I don’t think you can live in the dorm there as a senior, but I don’t think you’d want to even if you could.
First year. It will be s big boost to your social life. And maybe your parents will figure out that that can live without you, and change their minds. 
At my school most people move off-campus by junior year. Seniors in the dorms are rare. If it’s similar for your school, you might feel out of place if you dormed last year instead of the first.
Okay, So would you guys recommend staying in the dorms or an off campus apartment?
Dorms if possible. 100%.
People normally move off campus into apartments after they live in the dorms and meet people to share an apartment with.
Dorms first year. All the freshman are looking for new friends then.