Dorms vs. Commuting: The Tradeoffs for Local College Students

College is every student’s chance to become independent.

However, not all students may be able to live in a dorm or apartment, away from home.

They may commute from their homes to school every day.

“My parents want me to save money,” San Jose State University commuter Chuck Lee, from Cupertino said. “In high school, I only applied to SJSU because I wanted to be close to home. I do not have to worry about applying for housing, deal with costs, and food.”

Lee stated that the choice he made was a big regret.

“Realizing after one year of constantly being mothered and nagged at by my parents, restricting me with a curfew, I started to hate my ignorant choice of coming to SJSU.”

Lee noted that he started comparing himself to others, feeling hopeless.

“I see my classmates who are living in dorms or apartments living their lives. They are always positive and have no worries,” Lee said.

Not all college students who live away from their parents have the college experience of their life.

“It’s tough when you have to pay for housing and with minimal financial aid. I missed high school when I just went home and saw my mom making dinner. I do not have the effort to cook my meals so I eat fast food more than four times a week,” said San Jose State University student Mike Carlson, biochemistry major from San Francisco.

Dorm or home-life can be a blessing and a curse.

San Jose State sophomore Dean Dominguez said, “I love living at home! I do see that some of my friends do not because of their strict parents. However, my parents give me responsibilities such as cleaning the house and buying groceries in exchange for my freedom. They do not care how late I come home.”

According to Dominguez, financial aid helped him with his tuition and his parents help with his room and board. While some enjoy living at home during college, some strongly support living in dorms.

“You are not going to have this opportunity to network and grow up if you do not live away from home,” San Jose State senior George Shin, from Santa Barbara said.

Shin lives in an apartment with several housemates on San Carlos Street.

“I network everyday with people in clubs and activities. It is important to be a part of your school spirit.”

Shin also noted that he does not have to worry about his parents nagging at him for going out late.

“I can go to the gym at four in the morning or have a cigarette if I cannot sleep. If my friends (living at home) ever tried doing that, their parents would immediately run to the front door to see where they are going and possibly restrict them. How embarrassing is that when it happens to someone who is in their twenties?”

Shin concluded that living away from parents can greatly improve one’s mentality through more responsibilities, resulting in a faster growth as a person. There is no absolute right or wrong choice when it comes to living at home or on campus in college.

Every parent treats children differently.

“If you have strict parents, you should go to college far away. You are reaching your early twenties. It is a great time for growing up. With strict parents, you are constantly being mothered and that will prevent you from becoming a responsible adult,” Lee said.