6 answers
Maddy
Student
St. George, Utah
1
Question
Asked
1093 views
When starting your first year of college, is it better to live at home to save money, or move out? What factors should I consider when deciding between the two?
I don’t have a lot of money saved up yet, so I’m trying to figure out what makes the most sense for my first year of college. I plan to study ceramics and eventually earn my master’s in fine arts, so I want to choose the option that will set me up for success both financially and academically.
Login to comment
6 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Maddy. Deciding whether to live at home or move out for your first year of college is a big choice, and it depends on your money, goals, and what will help you do well in school.
One of the main benefits of living at home is saving money. College already costs a lot with tuition, books, and supplies, and moving out adds rent, groceries, and other bills. Staying at home lets you focus more on your studies and your art without worrying as much about money. Since you plan to study ceramics and eventually get a master's in fine arts, saving money in your first year could let you spend more on materials, etc.
Moving out, however, gives you independence and helps you grow personally. When you live on your own or with roommates, you have to take care of your schedule, responsibilities, and daily life. This can teach you important skills like managing time, budgeting, and solving problems. Living on or near campus also makes it easier to join clubs, study groups, and art projects. For a hands-on field like ceramics, being close to campus studios can save commuting time and allow you to practice more often.
When deciding, you need to think about your budget, commute, social life, and how well you can focus on school at home or on your own. Ask yourself if the money you save at home is more important than the independence and convenience of living near campus. Also think about your personalit, some students do better in a home environment, while others grow more from living on their own. A middle option is to stay at home for the first semester and then decide again later.
One of the main benefits of living at home is saving money. College already costs a lot with tuition, books, and supplies, and moving out adds rent, groceries, and other bills. Staying at home lets you focus more on your studies and your art without worrying as much about money. Since you plan to study ceramics and eventually get a master's in fine arts, saving money in your first year could let you spend more on materials, etc.
Moving out, however, gives you independence and helps you grow personally. When you live on your own or with roommates, you have to take care of your schedule, responsibilities, and daily life. This can teach you important skills like managing time, budgeting, and solving problems. Living on or near campus also makes it easier to join clubs, study groups, and art projects. For a hands-on field like ceramics, being close to campus studios can save commuting time and allow you to practice more often.
When deciding, you need to think about your budget, commute, social life, and how well you can focus on school at home or on your own. Ask yourself if the money you save at home is more important than the independence and convenience of living near campus. Also think about your personalit, some students do better in a home environment, while others grow more from living on their own. A middle option is to stay at home for the first semester and then decide again later.
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
112
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Maddy,
How far from campus you live is a key consideration. Once you really start getting into your studio classes, you'll want to spend as much time in the studio as possible, and that can be exhausting. If you're on or quite near campus, getting home at night will be more manageable.
That said, the less debt you can incur, the more freedom you'll have. It's good that you're considering these things carefully. Sure, it's fun to have the whole college experience of living in a dorm or in your first apartment, but if you have to go deep into debt to do it, it will only make life harder when you finish school. If you don't have a lot of debt to pay off, you can afford to take career-building internships, apprenticeships, workshops, and residencies, or lower wage nonprofit or other creative jobs.
Just being a good art student and adjusting to college life will help you become more self-sufficient, collaborate effectively, and learn how to solve problems. Unless living at home will diminish the quality of your learning experience, I'd hold off on moving out.
Enjoy your program! I'm excited for you.
How far from campus you live is a key consideration. Once you really start getting into your studio classes, you'll want to spend as much time in the studio as possible, and that can be exhausting. If you're on or quite near campus, getting home at night will be more manageable.
That said, the less debt you can incur, the more freedom you'll have. It's good that you're considering these things carefully. Sure, it's fun to have the whole college experience of living in a dorm or in your first apartment, but if you have to go deep into debt to do it, it will only make life harder when you finish school. If you don't have a lot of debt to pay off, you can afford to take career-building internships, apprenticeships, workshops, and residencies, or lower wage nonprofit or other creative jobs.
Just being a good art student and adjusting to college life will help you become more self-sufficient, collaborate effectively, and learn how to solve problems. Unless living at home will diminish the quality of your learning experience, I'd hold off on moving out.
Enjoy your program! I'm excited for you.
Prisilla Karolina Siregar
Art Teacher
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Prisilla Karolina’s Answer
Hi Maddy,
This is a very good question. In addition to distance and convenience, you should also do the math and calculate how much you would save based on living at home vs how much you would be spending living on campus. During your first year you will figure out what works for you and what doesn't. Some student commute to their universities their first year only to find that it is better to be on campus because of their class schedules, need for studio time / library time, and preference to develop a campus social life and participate in campus culture. These students find the added cost of dorming worth it because they are able to take advantage of additional school resources that are on-site and fit more activities into their schedule.
Then there are some students who are able to get their studio time in during the day and have a lifestyle that exists outside of school. They have part time jobs, are committed to their families, or just see university as a place of education and are not dependent on their school campus for anything other than learning. These students commute to school even from an hour and a half away. Some are able to break up this commune by having their part-time jobs mid route.
Here are some suggestion to help you find the right choice for you. Best of luck to you on this new journey!
Calculate how much you would save by commuting from home. Consider what you would save on fuel and tolls. Also consider if your university would require you to purchase health insurance or a meal plan as part of your residency. Consider additional food costs as well.
Ask your university what a typical schedule for a freshman in your major would look like. How many required credits are you suppose to complete in a semester? How many hours are each class? This can help you to better understand how you would need to spend your "on campus" time.
This is a very good question. In addition to distance and convenience, you should also do the math and calculate how much you would save based on living at home vs how much you would be spending living on campus. During your first year you will figure out what works for you and what doesn't. Some student commute to their universities their first year only to find that it is better to be on campus because of their class schedules, need for studio time / library time, and preference to develop a campus social life and participate in campus culture. These students find the added cost of dorming worth it because they are able to take advantage of additional school resources that are on-site and fit more activities into their schedule.
Then there are some students who are able to get their studio time in during the day and have a lifestyle that exists outside of school. They have part time jobs, are committed to their families, or just see university as a place of education and are not dependent on their school campus for anything other than learning. These students commute to school even from an hour and a half away. Some are able to break up this commune by having their part-time jobs mid route.
Here are some suggestion to help you find the right choice for you. Best of luck to you on this new journey!
Prisilla Karolina recommends the following next steps:
albina sadyrbekova
1
Answer
Des Plaines, Illinois
Updated
albina’s Answer
Hey there! I suggest staying home for the first year to save up some money. Being an art student can get pricey, and having extra cash for good clay and tools is really helpful. You can still do well in school by being involved in campus activities during classes. Save now so you can invest in your art career later!
Joseph Spirtos
Enter art contests
22
Answers
Poland, Ohio
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Hey there! Great question!
Obviously, this depends on whether the school you want to go too is close enough to live at home. But if that is not an issue, I highly recommend staying at home as long as you can. You will find that it will greatly help knowing that after a long day in class you can head back home to a place you are familiar with. You will also want to keep close to your parents as much as possible for they can offer valuable support throughout your college career. I hope this helps and best of luck! :)
Obviously, this depends on whether the school you want to go too is close enough to live at home. But if that is not an issue, I highly recommend staying at home as long as you can. You will find that it will greatly help knowing that after a long day in class you can head back home to a place you are familiar with. You will also want to keep close to your parents as much as possible for they can offer valuable support throughout your college career. I hope this helps and best of luck! :)
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2431
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Below are a few questions you have to consider:
1. Identify the college(s) that you would like to pursue and find out the location of the college
2. Compare the costs and pros & cons between staying home or dorm, e.g. Transportation, meals, travel time, other living costs, facilities, etc.
3. If the college is far from your home, travelling time might be a key consideration factor.
4. If it is preferred to move out after analysis, you can consider to do some part time job to earn extra income
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
1. Identify the college(s) that you would like to pursue and find out the location of the college
2. Compare the costs and pros & cons between staying home or dorm, e.g. Transportation, meals, travel time, other living costs, facilities, etc.
3. If the college is far from your home, travelling time might be a key consideration factor.
4. If it is preferred to move out after analysis, you can consider to do some part time job to earn extra income
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!