The Student Room Group

should i move out for uni?

hi! I'm in year 12 (East London) right now and I want to move out for university. the issue is that my parents are super against it. firstly they think that it'd be very heavy financially, and they don't want me taking loans (they are muslim, and in islam you shouldn't take loans with interest). the other thing is that my mum lived away from her parents for a while (she was kicked out) and she said it was the loneliest and most depressed she's ever been - she doesn't want me to go through the same thing. those are the reasons they give me when I ask, but there might be more, idk

the reasons I want to move out is because my parents are quite strict (due to religion and overprotectiveness) - I have a curfew of ten, they constantly want to know my whereabouts, I can't wear clothing I want. my parents are also quite possessive?? for example, my mum gets upset if I spend too much time with friends or even talk about them sometimes in front of her, as she feels like I should be spending time with family instead (I do spend time with family, I literally live with them). the third thing is I'm queer and closeted (family is homophobic). people at school know, and my little sister knows but nobody else. I also quite like to party and have fun but I can't do that if I live with them as they are heavily against all of that. another thing is I hate my dad, he's not a very nice guy.

The reasons I'm not sure if I should move out is because financially it would be awful for me - the job I want to go into doesn't pay well, but it's my dream, so I'd have difficulty paying the loan off. I also want to travel the world so badly and itd be more difficult with debt behind me. also I'm pretty attached to my family as well, and i don't know if I'd be okay without them (like i won't be able to randomly go to my big sisters room to talk, or play ps4 with my little sister after school). im also scared that if I'd move out I'd ruin my relationship with my mother, and she wouldn't be able to forgive me. I have anxiety too, and most of my friends are thinking of unis pretty far from my dream one (Bristol), so I'd have to make new friends and it terrifies me, because I have heard stories of so many people who found nobody. also if something happened to my sisters or mum and I was in another part of England, how'd I make it to them and help them?

I'm just quite unsure and I don't know what to do because recently I've been looking into it and me and my mum have been arguing more about it. please help and offer advice!
Reply 1
There are a lot of advantages in living away from home for uni. The debt is not a true one as it is only payable when you are earning above a threshold. And its only for 60% of the year, so there is still plenty of family time available. Keep working on your Mum to support what you want to do
I haven't moved out, but I have friends who have, and from their side, they all dislike it. They do get very lonely despite some of them making good friends, so I do agree with you on that one. A few of them do come home every weekend, which they say they prefer, but it does get tiring for them and also costly. One of my friends works 3 jobs to help with the costs, which is stressful for her alongside university- I'm not saying you will have to do the same ofc but I'm just telling you what they experience. Everyone's situation and experience is different though. Personally, id say its a big change, and it won't be easy or as comfortable as it looks. Only you know what would work for you so I hope you figure it out.

All the best
Reply 3
Original post by miyam23
hi! I'm in year 12 (East London) right now and I want to move out for university. the issue is that my parents are super against it. firstly they think that it'd be very heavy financially, and they don't want me taking loans (they are muslim, and in islam you shouldn't take loans with interest). the other thing is that my mum lived away from her parents for a while (she was kicked out) and she said it was the loneliest and most depressed she's ever been - she doesn't want me to go through the same thing. those are the reasons they give me when I ask, but there might be more, idk
the reasons I want to move out is because my parents are quite strict (due to religion and overprotectiveness) - I have a curfew of ten, they constantly want to know my whereabouts, I can't wear clothing I want. my parents are also quite possessive?? for example, my mum gets upset if I spend too much time with friends or even talk about them sometimes in front of her, as she feels like I should be spending time with family instead (I do spend time with family, I literally live with them). the third thing is I'm queer and closeted (family is homophobic). people at school know, and my little sister knows but nobody else. I also quite like to party and have fun but I can't do that if I live with them as they are heavily against all of that. another thing is I hate my dad, he's not a very nice guy.
The reasons I'm not sure if I should move out is because financially it would be awful for me - the job I want to go into doesn't pay well, but it's my dream, so I'd have difficulty paying the loan off. I also want to travel the world so badly and itd be more difficult with debt behind me. also I'm pretty attached to my family as well, and i don't know if I'd be okay without them (like i won't be able to randomly go to my big sisters room to talk, or play ps4 with my little sister after school). im also scared that if I'd move out I'd ruin my relationship with my mother, and she wouldn't be able to forgive me. I have anxiety too, and most of my friends are thinking of unis pretty far from my dream one (Bristol), so I'd have to make new friends and it terrifies me, because I have heard stories of so many people who found nobody. also if something happened to my sisters or mum and I was in another part of England, how'd I make it to them and help them?
I'm just quite unsure and I don't know what to do because recently I've been looking into it and me and my mum have been arguing more about it. please help and offer advice!

I can't comment on your life, but can comment on the loan. Student loan are mis-named. They are not a loan in any sense other than the fact they incur interest. However, if you earn less than the starting threshold, you pay nothing. In addition, you only pay 9% repayments on money earned over that threshold. So initially you will be paying bobbins. Furthermore, the money is taken from your wage packet you so you never actually see your repayment money. It isn't like a regular loan where the money comes in and they you pay it out.

Lastly, two more things.

1.

When you are 18, legally you are an adult and able to make your own decisions.

2.

Your parents no doubt love you and just want the best for you so be kind in the way you make your own decisions.

Good luck!

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