Living At Home Whilst Studying At Uni: Pros & Cons

University is undoubtedly a time of change for any young person looking to advance their education, much different to secondary school or sixth form, and with it comes lots of decisions.

Not only are you attending multiple university open days trying to choose the right course for you, but there are other serious matters to consider—the main one being where you are going to live for the next three or four years during your studies.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the main pros and cons of moving into student accommodation or staying with your parents in the family home.

Moving into student halls

Pros:

• You have a much greater degree of freedom. You set your own times for coming and going and won’t have to justify your late nights of socialising or studying. 
• It helps you to become more independent and self-sufficient – key skills you’ll need for the rest of your life, such as budgeting, housework, and grocery shopping, are all things you will need to take care of yourself.
• You can live truly as a 21^st-century university student with all of the social activities and groups on your doorstep. Not to mention your newfound flatmate friends.
• You can wake up and walk for less than five minutes to get to your lectures, study groups, and the canteen, which usually means longer lay-ins. Not having long travelling times also frees up time for study and working. 

Cons:

• In student accommodation, you’ll likely be more distracted by social events on your doorstep. Then ‘Just come for one at the student bar’ crowd you share residence with may tempt you away from much-needed study time.
• You will have to pay for student accommodation from maintenance loans, which you will need to pay back. We’re talking thousands, over £20,000 on rent over a three-year course! Not just the rent but the utility bills and the cost of shopping are added to that figure each week.
• You are responsible for all your chores, such as cleaning the bathroom, doing the dishes, washing and ironing your clothes and bedding—yes, even when you can’t be bothered to!
• You will be away from your family, siblings, neighbours, friends in the local area who you have developed strong bonds with over 18 years. Will you miss that support?

Living at home

Pros:

• You won’t have to do (much) of your cooking, cleaning, washing, and ironing because your parents will realise that you need time to study, and happily support your freedom in that way.
• Unless your parents are meanies, you won’t have to pay any rent for your bedroom, the food shopping, utility bills or things like council tax. Of course, it’s mature to offer them a token amount, even if they don’t ask or accept it.
• There will always be a friendly face to talk to if university is getting you down, be it a sibling or your parent offering sage advice. It’s also likely that you will still have friends in the local area who haven’t escaped home for university halls halfway across the country.
• You will never experience homesickness like so many young adults do when they leave home for the first time. Homesickness, the stress of university and financial worries are the most common contributing factors to students dropping out. By staying at home you’re more likely to remain in university than drop out when things ‘get too much’.

Cons:

• You might find it too comfortable having everything done for you, which will have a knock-on effect when it does come time to leave home.
• Unless you live very close to campus, there is likely to be a commute from your home to university. Not so bad if you’re busy there all day, but will you make the effort of an hour or more commute to attend a single lecture in a day? Or stay for a social event after class?
• University isn’t all about lectures. Living at home you won’t have student services like the library, student union or sports facilities within easy reach.
• You may feel a little isolated from your peers when they are planning nights out, parties for halls residents only, and other social events. Unless, of course, you make the effort to join clubs, interest groups, and course-specific societies.

So there you have it. Weigh these ideas up and make up your mind when considering university and arrange your open days at universities close to home and far away. Even if you decide to go into halls when you live quite close, you can always move back in with your parents if you’re not enjoying it – and vice versa. 

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