Should I live at home or in uni halls?

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It's all about just making an effort, talking to people and going to social events. Joining societies is really good to make friends outside of your course too.

I mean, as cliche as it sounds, it really is what you make of it. I go to one of my best mate's accommodation all the time which is 5 minutes from the Uni and there's this girl there who NEVER shows her face. The people on her floor have seen her like twice since September because she just locks herself up in her room and studies, never socialises. I always think "What's the point in living in halls then, what good has that done you?"

And you'd be surprised at how many people live at home, in UCL anyway! Most of them aren't far so they can comfortably make it to anywhere their accommodation friends decide to go. And honestly, when i hear all my friends complaining about how they have to do the laundry, buy and cook their food etc etc I'm so glad I don't have to do that too! :biggrin:

They may complain but in my experience everyone who has lived out for their first year has much more fun than those who stayed home.

Reply 501

Plantagenet Crown

Original post by jonathanemptage

They may complain but in my experience everyone who has lived out for their first year has much more fun than those who stayed home.

Well I can't say that's true in my experience.

Reply 502

laurapinkxx

Original post by LeonVII

Thank you so much , I'm going to try my best :biggrin:

Reply 503

cyn_purple

Original post by lulz-kay

When applying to UCAS.. Sheffield was the only uni which I said I wouldn't accommodate at (it's 10 minutes away on the train, 20-30mins in the car).. but now I'm having second thoughts.. should I commute at home or in halls?

My actual question is: How much will I ACTUALLY miss out? If I were to live at home..

The way I see it.. travelling to the uni will be cheaper which means I can pay for other things such as driving lessons and possibly get a decent car (I've been saving up for a while..) and my parents won't charge me rent..they even said they'll support me financially if need be.. But I'm just confusssseed... I couldn't possibly be the ONLY person who doesn't live within the uni during th first year???

:frown:

Thanks

You don't live too far from uni so It would be a cheaper option to go from home. Like you said, you can save money for other things you want to do.

The good thing about living in halls is that you meet a lot of people when you start. By living away, you could make it harder to join into fresher's week? but saying that it depends on what type of person you are.

If you live at home, will your parent's let you have the freedom to do what you wish?
Unless you live in luxury accommodation. you are going to miss the comforts of being at home. But that's the experience of being at uni.

For me, It would have been like school if I was at home. It depends how you want your uni experience to be?

Reply 504

peter12345

This culture of wasting thousands on university accommodation just to make friends has to end. People act like if you don't make a ton of froends within some 3 year course you'll never make friends. I don't see adults living at work to make friends with colleagues.

Reply 505

New- Emperor

Living away form home is a big jump but one that everyone has to take in the end.It's better to do it now while you still have the safety net of mum and dad if you fail maybe spent the fort year at home then move in with your course mates in you second yer if you want. Save your money this year.

Reply 506

Fortitude

Original post by peter12345

Hi, really good point.

Reply 507

MelissaJayne

I recently wrote a quick article on this exact topic; from both sides. Will be grateful to anyone for having a quick read and letting me know their opinion! http://www.thenationalstudent.com/Student_Accommodation/2013-06-03/should_you_live_at_home_for_uni.html

Reply 508

Origami Bullets

Original post by MelissaJayne

Seems fairly balanced to me. However, I would dispute that it is always cheaper - for those living any distance from uni, then train fares can easily cost more than halls would. Plus, if you spend the time you would have spent travelling at a part time job then you will be earning money and getting the work experience & transferable skills that employers want.

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Reply 509

MelissaJayne

Original post by Origami Bullets

Fair shout, it's very individual and can change from person to person depending on circumstances. Sometimes people still have to pay fares to get into lectures if halls is a bit of a distance from campus for example.

Reply 510

jonathanemptage

Original post by MelissaJayne

But the uni will usually provide a bus service if that is the case I know at Southampton uni you get a free uni link (local bus service) bus pass if you go into halls and Portsmouth has a dedicated free uni bus.

Reply 511

TheHairyArmenian

I live in a suburb of London, and I will be attending UCL (living at home). My issue is that most of my school friends are going to university outside of London, and socialising will be a tad harder given the fact I'm not staying in the halls - and I really don't want to take advantage of people by crashing at theirs. I'm studying history as well so contact hours are very minimal.. I guess societies would be the only way to socialise then?

Reply 512

jonathanemptage

Looks like it but don't worry many people who live at home for all or part of their first year move out either part way through their first year or move in with friend from their course or societies in the second year.

Reply 513

Meemee1056

Uni halls are better as it allows u to build responsibility and then you can also learn to live alone without others help.

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Reply 514

username1109641

Everyone who ever went to uni has told me halls.

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Reply 515

ssupernova

you're lucky you have the option, like me, I didn't like too far from the uni of my choice. About 50 mins on train and about the same in car. I lived there for the first two years and absolutely did not regret it for a second, in third year I commuted which I also do not regret as I saved a lot of money. However, the first year (especially the first semester) is the time where most friendships are made [in my experience anyway]. Personally, I met my best uni friends in halls. Although I got on very well with all my course mates, went on nights out and became very good friends- the friends I met in residence were the main group. You will never know what it is like until you try it, a lot of people I met were better friends with course mates then housemates, but you certainly won't be the only person who commutes there are hundreds.
So, i'd recommend you tried it out for the first year to make those bonds, then you have the luxury of living at home the second and third with friendships already made. good luck

Reply 516

Skip_Snip

I'm gonna be commuting. It's only 35ish mins door to door from home using public transport, and I imagine it could take that long to walk to campus from private student housing :tongue:

I'll do my best to not miss out on anything :biggrin:

Reply 517

historygirl

I'm hopefully going to Sheffield this September. I live about 12 miles away from Sheffield (an hour via bus/walking and about 30 minutes by car) but I've applied to live in the halls because I want the experience of living away from home. Also, I already compute to my Sixth Form, which takes about 45 minutes, and so if I continued to live at home when attending university, I think that it would feel the same - as though I'm still going to school.

The other reason why I have chosen to live in the halls, at least for the first year, is because I am quite a shy and reserved person. I think that if I live at home I won't socialise as much because I will always be aware that I can get away from uni, or have to consider that I need to get back home, and so may avoid/not get involved as much. For instance, my Sixth Form is also a secondary school, so most of the people there have been there for years and all know and live near each other, whereas I don't. Since I live about a 45 minute bus ride away, I don't get as involved as I would like. For this reason, I think that it is best for me to live in halls so that I get to know people on a regular basis - not just in lessons - and as it will force me to socialise more, while staying at home would possibly not 'bring me out of my shell'.

I think people who are more outgoing will be ok staying at home as they will still socialise quite easily, but more reserved people like me may just go to uni for lectures/seminars etc. and not socialise much. The latter, if like me, probably need to be put in a situation to make them come out of their shell. Continuing to live at home, in my opinion, would not do this because it allows people to continue as they have before - as though they are still going to school and coming home again.

There is nothing wrong with spending time alone and there obviously are people in halls who live like hermits, but I think it gets boring and lonely not being involved in things or socialising for most of the time. Therefore, unless you are prepared to make an effort to socialise while living at home, you may become isolated.

As it is, I plan to live in halls for the first year, then decide what I want to do in the second and third year. I really think that everyone would be best with this option in most cases (People going to London universities may find that a lot of people stay at home) as it will allow people to become more independent and to socialise away from home.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 518

username418231

It depends.

If you want to are moving to uni in another town/city, then live in halls.

If you want to save on accommodation costs and your uni isn't far far away, then live at home.

I moved away from home because the uni I go to is in another location and I didn't want to live with my parents anymore.