Living at home with my parents during college? Yeah right. I was going to move away as soon as I could. These were my thoughts during most of high school until it was time to actually choose my future college. At the time, I was stuck in between teaching and nursing, and I couldn’t deny that the university in my hometown was known to have great programs for both. I knew of people who loved being able to go to college while still living at home, but they never really explained why so the thought of living at home during college had me unsure. However, I weighed the pros and cons of living at home and it ended up being a great fit for me. It isn't for everyone but many students should consider the option instead of ruling it out immediately. There are both pros and cons that every future college student should consider before making their decision.

One of the benefits of living with my family is that I can get home cooked meals almost every day of the week which is nice because I don't have to worry about fitting cooking into my busy schedule or going grocery shopping on my own. I get to hang out with my parents when I get home and it is nice to be able to talk with them about my day and vent. I am able to see and play with my dog every time I open the front door which is nice because most dorms and apartments have pet restrictions.

While I love living with my parents, college is busy so I do not get home until late which can be a downside. Sometimes it's not until after the sun has died down and headlights are required to drive on the road. I also hit traffic sometimes in the evenings but if I lived on campus I could just walk back home. Also, it can be hard to live the whole college experience because I still live under my parents’ roof meaning I have rules to follow. I sometimes think that this prevents me from spending time with other college students doing whatever college students do. Since I live at home with my family, I have to make sure to include family time into my day even if that means only saying ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Good Night.’ I feel like other students don't have to worry so much about their families and can focus on other things such as school and work.

All in all, I love living at home and would not have it any other way. To those who are still pondering the idea of going to an out-of-area college just because they don’t want to stay in town and live at home, I say consider the option of staying at home just as much as you consider leaving. Ponder the benefits and the downfalls of each choice and make sure you know what you want and what you are getting yourself into either way. I love living at home and it has been a great experience but either way brings forth a different experience.