Living at home or student accommodation? Oftentimes, this is a difficult decision for students about to head off to university for the first time – maybe for students in the second or third year wanting to move back home to save money, this is becoming an increasingly common option.

With 28% of young people aged 20-34 (in the UK) now living with their parents, it’s safe to say that this is definitely the case. Undoubtedly, there are both advantages and disadvantages to living with your folks, especially if you’re still studying. If you’re considering what to do and are in a bit of a pickle, no worries, we’ve got you covered. Here are some pros and cons you should consider.

Benefits of Living at Home whilst Studying

You Can Save Money

Depending on what city your university is in, accommodation can be quite expensive, and this is one of the biggest factors that are likely to influence your decision of living at home, especially if your parents let you live there rent-free.

Saving on rent and food until you find your dream job or work out what you want to do in life is a great advantage of living at home during university. You’ll be saving yourself a bunch of time and money, not having to worry about your weekly shop for food or doing household chores as much as you would if you lived alone. 

Or if you’re unlucky, you might end up living with messy students, which is a common gripe of many students who aren’t living with parents.

Fewer Distractions

Living at home during university can also help limit the distractions around you. Although everywhere always has its inevitable distractions, you at least won’t have to worry about a loud roommate coming back to your dorm room in the middle of the night after a night out.

Not moving out also means you’ll have a quiet place to study if you take the necessary steps such as turning off your TV or phone and that there will be fewer temptations to go out partying every night, which can help you to be more serious and focused on your education. 

Support System

Living with parents for university means th

at there will always be someone close to you who’s thinking about you, checking on your well-being when you come home from school, or any other time.

Leaving home can be a stressful experience for some people, and homesickness is also very common, especially for first-year students. But if you’re at home during your academic studies, you can maintain a strong relationship with your family because you see them on a more regular basis.

Healthier Options

Not only can living at home be cheaper, but it can be a lot healthier, especially regarding what you eat. Students are often stuck eating meal deals and takeaways and struggle to make time to eat properly, so if you’re lucky enough, your parents can help.

Eating healthier meals can help you succeed academically because you’ll likely feel better both physically and mentally by fueling your body with the right things. Healthier options don’t just mean healthier food; it also means having a stable routine in a clean and calmer environment.

 

What are the Drawbacks of Living at Home for University?

Less Access to Campus Events

Whilst your family might be great and a whole lot of fun, it’s not the same as attending on-campus clubs. Access to these events are much easier to take advantage of when you live on campus, and the commute from your parents’ house can be limiting for you if you do decide to go. 

Especially if you’re trying to save your student finance, you may not want to make the trip every time there’s something going on. This is one of the reasons you may want to consider not living with your parents for university.

Off-Campus Social Life

As well as limited access to on-campus events, you may also find yourself limited in terms of chances to connect with other students throughout university. This is even more important for first-year students as it is still important to make new friends as you venture into a new life journey.

Living at home is a lot less spontaneous when it comes to making plans with peers, and you might not always be told about social activities going on. People might not always invite you to parties or events since you aren’t around outside classroom hours. It might also feel strange bringing friends over to your house with your parents around.

Commuting & Travel

Even though living at home can save you money, this can be offset by all the travel costs you incur and the time you spend getting to campus. Whether it’s for bus, train, petrol or parking fees, this can be very stressful. Looking for parking when rushing to campus can cause stress especially if you need to get to an important lecture quickly.

Depending on where your parent’s home is, you could have a very long commute to get to campus every day. Sometimes, unpredictable things can occur, such as traffic jams, accidents, or even just bad weather to make the commute even more difficult and long.

Boundary Issues

Although living at home for university means that you are under your parents’ roof, you are no longer a child, which can sometimes be hard for parents to remember. Expectations are not always clear from both sides, which can then take away from having a healthy sense of independence.

Takes Away from the Full Uni Experience

This basically sums everything up about the disadvantages of living at home during university. Living at home means not having the uni roommate experience that allows you to learn to deal with all kinds of people and situations.

Moving out for university also means spending endless nights in the library with friends and eating dining hall food regardless of what it tastes like. Living on campus forces you to step out of your comfort zone, sometimes for the better.

Moving Out? Check Out Our Accommodation

University is a chance for self-discovery, to learn to take care of yourself and challenge yourself, which is why living at home during this period can be very limiting for your own personal development. 

If you’re looking to take the plunge and are thinking of moving out for university, why not check out our deluxe and premium room options. There are plenty of options if you’re looking for things to do in Leicester as a student. Have we got your attention? 

Please feel free to contact us for anything you need or book a room today.