Mikayla Smith
ENGL 151-03
10/19/14
Every College Student's Dilemma
There comes a time in an aspiring student's life when they go off to college. Finding their way to get there is a journey in itself. When that acceptance letter comes in the mail from the college, every student jumps in excitement. Maybe not all students get that excited though, but getting into the college of their dreams is always a relief. Getting good grades in high school help to get scholarships to help pay for college. Being a very good athlete can also land students money in college. Attending a college close to home has its benefits; having the option of living at home. Some students choose this option, or they are just ready to leave and get an apartment. Every college student that goes to a college close to home goes through this choice. Choosing whether to live at home, live in a dorm, or live in an apartment is very much considered. Many factors come into play when deciding on which to choose. Some of these factors include: rent, paying for food, time with friends and family, gas money, and studying habits.
Rent, the money paid to live under a roof. There may or not be rent depending on where they choose to stay. At home, depending on if the student has a job or family needs help, usually rent is not needed. Rent at home may be to complete weekly chores and keeping their bedroom clean. Not too bad of a cost to living at home. If the student decides to get an apartment, rent is quite different. Apartments are not cheap, and getting a roommate is a great idea. Splitting the cost of monthly rent, that could go upwards to $545 to more than $1000, depending on the place, is much greater than paying it all alone. College students must think of their money situations to figure if an apartment is a good decision for them or not. Money seems to be the biggest factor in deciding whether to live at home or in an apartment.
Food is a big deal for a college student, obtaining that food is another issue. Living at home has its benefits in this area. Coming home to a home-cooked meal made when you get home has got to be good. Not having to go out and spend money on breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks is a bonus. Saving money on food can help you to be able to spend it on other things. The need for groceries is taken care of by parents. While living in an apartment, grocery shopping is needed to be taken care of by the student and/or their roommate(s). Finding food that is affordable and buying enough to sustain teens is a struggle. Time for buying food must be a hassle with class and possible sport practices and games. A lot of the time students eat out and spend their money on junk. This is where the “freshmen fifteen” comes into play. Not eating healthy may lead to gaining weight. Eating at home may keep students away from eating out a lot and eating junk food. Spending time at restaurants means spending time with others.
While staying home during college, students may miss out on opportunities to hangout with friends. Friends are a big deal to social college students. Spending more times at home with family is more likely to happen. With the distance from campus by living at home, driving around to meet with friends from college may be a struggle. With living at an apartment, being around friends is bound to happen. Whether the roommates of students are friends or students have friends over a lot, friends are around. Also with the students living close to the school, they are more inclined to being around other college attendees. Either way it goes, students will be able to spend time with friends. The amount of time may vary depending on where they choose to live.
Bibliography:
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/pros-cons-living-home-during-college-16193.html