Make Living at Home Work and Not Missing Student Life
The new term is approaching, yet you decide not to leave the comfort of your room. You're not ready to leave home, and you think it's a sensible choice. You figure that living away can be a financially-crippling experience, and you don't want it to affect your focus on the coursework. You're not the only one.
There has been an increase in the number of live-at-home students during the last few years, and the reason is a simple one. Tertiary education is a heavy investment, so it would be irresponsible to worry about having many opportunities to party. You don't go to college for the parties, but you're aware of how the coursework can isolate you at times. You would need all the support especially if paper writing and examinations overwhelm you. There are other ways of making new friends, and posting a post-it-note, which states that you still live with your folks, on your backpack, if not gadget, won't be one of those options. You can let your status known in social media, even if you have trepidation of being poked fun at. You don't have to worry about it, even react to it. You're not the only one.
Living at home has its upside and downside, which you would find out a little bit later. If you plan your routine, then you wouldn't have any major issues in making an adjustment during your first month in college. Are you ready?
5 Ways to Achieve a Wider Student Experience
Ask your professors for a switch in modules and/or lecture groups. You must make the most out of your time, but living at home can pose some problems. Your timetable isn't written on stone, so ask your professor for a switch in modules and/or lecture groups. Do it if you don't want to wait for hours between lectures. And don't think twice if you consider the rush-hour traffic. On the other hand, think about this option carefully. You may get exhausted after a few months. You may not survive the month of December and the spring semester. You should look at your other option.
Look for a common room. You're not the only living-at-home (college) student, and you need a place to hang out. Check out the common rooms in the campus. It should help if you're studying the same modules. It doesn't mean that hanging out with other students won't have other advantages, as distractions could do you good. If you're talking about anything under the sun, then make sure that you won't make it a habit. You might lose your sense of urgency. It also applies to your coursemate who is kind to let you hang out in his (or her) room (in the dorm).
Don't get too comfortable in your own room. You would miss out on many opportunities if you get laidback from the warm comforts of your home. You can look for a part-time job after you arrange your timetable. You can do your share of the household chores. You can also reach out for other living-at-home students and arrange a gathering every week or two. Connection is important here. You might be thinking of enhancing your resume, which is what these options are all about. Don't neglect your sense of well being, though.
Isolation won't be a real issue if you find the right perspective. There's a good chance that you would have many acquaintances as you want to. Demeanor would play a part, so it doesn't matter if you're a member of two (or three) club/societies or none at all. This should determine the extent of your social life. You won't miss much if you keep that positive vibe. It might turn out that you're lucky to connect to a few students and academicians, who could be valuable additions to your network after graduating from college. Think about it.
Learn to follow a (strict) schedule. The WiFi connection at home should give you uninterrupted Internet service. There's a huge TV and warm couch (in the living room). And you won't miss your favorite dishes. You can indulge in it on weekends, as it's important to have a schedule and strictly following it. If you can do it after a month or two, then you won't encounter major problems during Christmas and spring. (You might not have imagined the pressure of beating several deadlines and studying for a few examinations.)
Why Asking for Help isn’t a Hard Thing to Do
There will come a time when you must ask your professors for flexibility in your timetable. It could be due to a certain factor, like certain days won’t be manageable for commuting, or a combination of other factors (like you’re still struggling to find a way to kill time between lectures). Don’t be too ashamed of asking for help. You’re a part of the college community wherever you live, and student work-life balance would be important. This is not too different from requesting for a switch in modules and/or lecture groups before the start of the term, but you would know. You should.
