Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Is it worth moving out to uni?

My cousin's asked me this, but I can only provide one opinion and, being happy with what I've done, I'm too biased to really help him. Well aware you won't get an unbiased opinion, but hopefully having lots will outweigh that.

He lives about a half hour drive from the uni he wants to go to. He's as interested in the social side as I am, which is not very at all. He already lives like he's by himself, because he is the sole occupant of the top floor of his parents' house, which is like a self contained flat.

Is it worth him moving out to uni?

Reply 1

ily_em

If he's not interested in the social side, then no.

Does he think he would mind commuting? (going by train/ bus could be longer than the 30 mins drive) If no, then it's not worth it either.

Reply 2

TheSownRose

Original post by ily_em

Does he think he would mind commuting? (going by train/ bus could be longer than the 30 mins drive) If no, then it's not worth it either.

He does fifty minutes to college at the moment. Says he enjoys it - gives him time to read or listen to music.

Reply 3

XxCBxX

It takes me 30 minutes commute to get to uni, so I stayed at home. I wasn't massively interested in social aspects of uni either, in the sense that I wanted to attend a few but not all events on :smile:

So I chose to commute :smile:

If he doesn't mind the commute then I'd say go for it :smile:

Reply 4

f00ddude

i would say so, he might not be interested in the social side but (at least where i am) the accomodations 5mins away from everything you need, su, lectures, shops, pubs etc
he may change his mind about the social side of things as well, i find it great having so many mates within 5mins from me, even if its not always clubbing and is just chilling during the day and stuff

Reply 5

SirRamAlot

Probably not. If it takes him only half n hour to commute which you say he enjoys and isn't really interested in the social side of Uni, it'd probably be a waste of money.

Reply 6

ily_em

Original post by TheSownRose

He does fifty minutes to college at the moment. Says he enjoys it - gives him time to read or listen to music.

Then I don't see why he should move to uni - as long as he's certain about the social side.

Reply 7

HumanNature1992

Original post by ily_em

Then I don't see why he should move to uni - as long as he's certain about the social side.

I think its easy to say now, "i'll be fine at home, i dont care for the social side etc.." but when he actually gets there and friends are made within halls then he might possibly regret not living in halls.

Reply 8

ch0llima

Living at home, and not being interested in the social side, tend to go hand in hand unfortunately.

Home should be treated as an accommodation choice and not a lifestyle - get involved, do as others do, and socialise. University should be a change and a real opportunity to do something different, not just a few classes you pop out of the house to go to.

Mind you, you and I have a definite history of discussion/disagreement/daggers drawn about this particular issue :smile:

Reply 9

TheSownRose

Original post by ch0llima

Mind you, you and I have a definite history of discussion/disagreement/daggers drawn about this particular issue :smile:

I know - I was involved in one of them. :wink:

We never really finished it, if I recall...

I doubt he'd be interested in the social side even if he did live in halls. He's been like this for years, ever since I can remember.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 10

JayReg

Why doesnt he go to halls for the first year so he can experience university fully/meet some new people more easily and then decide whether he wants to do after that (I havent been to uni so this might be crap advice).

Reply 11

RamocitoMorales

It's time he moved out of his parent's house.

Reply 12

TheSownRose

Original post by RamocitoMorales

It's time he moved out of his parent's house.

What's the difference between living in a flat in his parents' house and living in a flat in another building?

Reply 13

RamocitoMorales

Original post by TheSownRose

What's the difference between living in a flat in his parents' house and living in a flat in another building?

Doesn't he have any sense of self respect? It's time he realised that he's an adult now and needs to move on and live his own life away from his parents.

Reply 14

xoxAngel_Kxox

I live a 30 minute drive from my uni- but public transport = 2 hours, eek!!

But anyway- I am glad that I live at home. The amount of money I'm saving is just wonderful. Having said that, I lived in halls last year, and I'm grateful for that experience because it was amazing!

Reply 15

TheSownRose

Original post by RamocitoMorales

Doesn't he have any sense of self respect? It's time he realised that he's an adult now and needs to move on and live his own life away from his parents.

That doesn't really answer my question, though. :wink:

Reply 16

ch0llima

Original post by JayReg

I think this is the best compromise by a long way. People are like "I've saved so much money by living at home" but, medium term, they've sacrificed so much else and what do they have to show for it? £3.5k is peanuts compared to how much you'll spend throughout the rest of your life on different things, why are you so desperate to save it now?

When I started at the University of Dundee back in 2007, I found something like 10 people in my block of ~75 who actually lived within 30 minutes of the campus but wanted to go independent, meet people and experience uni life properly. I think a couple of them moved back home for second year (because one year of "the experience" was enough for them) and some got cheaper private house shares, but at least they gave it a chance and ended up having a great time.

Mind you, it's up to your institution on how they allocate accommodation. I believe the University of Edinburgh put Edinburgh residents, and other people who live within a certain radius, to the back of the housing queue because there's so many applicants coming from further away.

Being in halls gives you a ready made social group and you likely won't meet any of your course mates until after Freshers' Week, so it's not like you've got people to go out with or talk to on the first night unless you've got other friends (e.g. old schoolmates) who happen to be going to the same university.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 17

CookieDoughLove

In my opinion no. It's too much hassle, and if he isn't into the whole social side of things, and feels like he lives on his own anyway then he might aswell stay where he is.

I personally think living in halls is way overrated :yep: