Need Opinions: Living On Campus Vs Living At Home

[Ashley]

I'll be a freshman in the fall and I was blessed enough to get a full-ride scholarship to a private university. I can live on campus for free and be exempt from the meal plan because of celiac disease. The university is in my hometown, just 5 or so miles from my house. I'm leaning towards living at home, but, I'd like to hear opinions & experiences from other people.

The only concerns I have is there's one bathroom per hall and rooming with a non-celiac (unless I can scout for a gluten-free roomie...)

All my friends are saying living on campus for that "college experience" but, I'm not so convinced. I plan on joining SGA and pledging with Alpha Sigma Tau to get involved around campus.

Any thoughts would be appreciated :]

-Ash

[ravenwoodglass]

Congrats on the scholarship. Does the college know your celiac? My DD's freshman year they put her in senior housing so she would have a room byherself and a kitchenette. They also might room you with another celiac if you let them know.

Whether you want to live at home or on campus is really your decision. If you are comfortable with the rules at home then I would stay there. You can be as involved with campus life as you want without living on campus. Of course this is coming from a parent who is having a hard time with empty nesting I would have loved to just have my DD in the same state when she went to school.

[Mother of Jibril]

I'm sure you can have a great experience either way

I also got a big scholarship to attend a small, private college. It was two hours away from home. IMO there are certain things you can only experience by living in the dorms. Not everything is good... (especially the food)... but to this day, one of my closest friends is somebody who lived on my floor freshman year.

If you're living at home you're going to miss out on those late-night bull sessions... slogging through homework together while you figure out who you are and how you're going to save the world And what if you want to have an intimate relationship with somebody? Are your parents going to be cool with that?

[brendygirl]

I lived in the dorms at a small private University, and it was an experience that cannot be matched. Like everything, there are pros and cons, but I'll tell you this:

I know people who wish they'd lived in the dorms, but I have never met anyone who wishes they'd lived at home during college.

The bonding is immense.

Also, the college girls who have visited my celiac support group love that the campus cafeteria at their school has to accommodate their gluten free diets. We asked what they had for dinner that night, and they said falafel and it was great. We were all jealous that they got good gluten-free food without having to purchase, prepare, or clean up after it!

[shirleyujest]

Congratulations on the scholarship and starting college! Enjoy this great season in your life.

I vote for living on campus, whether sorority or dorm. I put myself through college, got scholarship for tuition but had to pay my own way living-wise. It was great fun, but my biggest regret is not finding a way to live on campus and develop deeper bonds with the students. These are friendships that last a lifetime. I had several good friends/study buddies, they were like me and lived off campus. We stayed in touch but only for a couple years then drifted apart. I know I would still be close with friends if we'd lived together.

The need to stay gluten-free is a complicating element. But you'll need to learn this anyway right? How to share a lunchroom with non-c people and maybe marry a non-c and travel with people etc. You'll probably get gluttened on occasion but it's not worth being apart from others.

[hannahp57]

I would weigh the pros and cons.

In the dorms are you going to have your own clean kitchen or will you have to go home to eat an uncontaminated mean?

Do you think you'll miss out on the college experience being only five minutes away. obviously you wont have the roomate. finding another gluten free roomie would be so neat and you two could have a safe kitchen together, no need for constant reminders

I didnt stay in a dorm but i feel it was best for me. i wouldnt have been able to skip out on the meal plan and there are community kitchens. i had absolutely no intention of paying for a meal plan i couldnt use and then cooking food in an infected kitchen. but these circumstances may be vastly different from yours. i also had a job in my hometown so either way i would be driving back and forth. Either situation can work out. and if you make a decision and decide you arent content, you can always try the alternative

[heathen]

Learn from my experience:

I have a wonderful relationship with my parents, but due to financial constraints, I had to move in with them while working on my 2nd degree. BUT if you decide to live at home, get EVERYTHING in writing! By this, I mean have a long talk with your parents and write out a "Bill of Rights" concerning everything from what they expect from you in chores, family events, curfew, overnight guests... I cannot overemphasize how important it is to know exactly what you are getting into--you'll avoid alot of disagreements if you have something to point to which you all agreed.

As far as living in the dorms, keep a set of dishes, etc for yourself and just explain to your roommate(s) the importance of keeping your stuff separate. I don't think you'll have a problem--just watch out for cafeteria food.