College Dorm vs Apartment

Going off to college after eighteen year of rules and restrictions underneath your parents’ roof can be a very exciting experience, but is it all that it appears to be? There are many pros and cons when it comes to both living at home, and in a college dorm. Fortunately for me I have been able to experience living in all three and I can definitely say that living in a college dorm is the better option. At first glance a college dorm seems like the best thing that has ever happened to you especially since you will no longer have your parents there to nag you. There are many obvious advantages to living in a college dorm.One of these advantages is the most obvious, you don’t have to follow all the rules that your parents have laid out for you, of course there will still be rules in your dorm but you will still have a sense freedom. There will always be rules in society so you can never escape that. Another major advantage of moving away to a college dorm would definitely be the experience. When I went off to college I met so many different people, learned so many knew things, and had many experiences that I will remember forever. Another pro of living in a dorm is that you finally get to learn how to be independent and truly take care of yourself. Mom won’t be there to wash your clothes or cook for you, so you easily gain knowledge on how to fend for yourself. Lastly, I feel an advantage of living in a dorm is that you learn how to prioritize and be more. You won’t have the luxury of your parents telling you to do your homework, so being away gives you a sense of responsibility and it is basically up to you to make the right decisions. Along with the pros there are always cons. Living in a college dorm is not always the best option. There are definitely setbacks involved in living away from home. A major disadvantage is that college life can be very distracting. There are always going to be parties and other fun things going on which can easy take your mind away from that assignment you have due in the morning. Living in a dorm can possibly jeopardize your GPA. (unknown, 2005, para. 3) A college dorm can also be a disadvantage if you have a horrible roommate. You no longer have the luxury of having your own space which can be very uncomfortable, or even cause another distraction. Living in a dorm room can also be very costly, even if you don’t use all that you are paying for. For example you may pay for a meal plan, but not as much food as you are paying for. (Bram, 2011, para. 9) Although I would definitely choose living in a dorm versus staying at home, there is also a plus to staying under your parent’s roof. The number one advantage of staying at home, in my opinion, is that you have the opportunity to save extraordinary amounts of money. You don’t have to worry about the cost of the dorm, food or any other expenses and you could also get a job. Going away to college is very expensive, so staying at home just a little while longer definitely won’t hurt you or your parents’ pockets. With that being said, we can get a little too comfortable with not having to worry about things financially which can keep us wanting to stay at home longer. The longer you stay at home, the harder it will be to leave later, which I find to be a major con. If for some reason staying at home for a longer time becomes the only option for you, at least you will always be focused. Not being around your peers constantly can absolutely keep you focused, not to mention your parents who will consistently be on your back about keeping grades up. Staying at home is a major advantage when it comes to doing well. Sometimes you have to really list out the positive and negative things about a particular subject to find what the best option for you would be. When it comes to living in a dorm you have freedom and gain experience, but it can be costly. When it comes to living at home you will be more likely to perform better in school, but you will have to abide by your parents rules even as an adult. I looked at all of the pros and cons of each, and still believe that living in a college dorm is a better option, not only for the experience, but because it helps to better prepare you for the future.