I Could Have Been in Residence, But I Lived at Home

I live in the city that my university is in. I decided to save money by living at home, about 25 minutes one way, 45 in rush hour. When other students heard that, they would ask, “Really? At home? Don’t you feel like you are missing things?”

Well, at first I thought that I might be. But I soon realized that, no, I could be just as much a part of the University as anyone else. During orientation week there was a huge group of students in the same position as me. I had all the same programming as students in residence; I just had to take an extra step to get there. At the end of Orientation week I felt confident that I was going to have an incredible University experience despite the fact that I was living at home. There are students who don't do that. They come, go to classes, and then go home. Most of their friends are the same people as before they came. They're not part of the campus community, and they seem totally disconnected from the University. I was determined not to be like that.

It is harder in some ways. For one thing, everyone else is in residence; that's where they form most of their friendships, and that's where they make decisions about where to go and what to do. Also, unless you've arranged to room with someone for the night, you can't enjoy the parties the way others can; you still have to drive home.

These are all problems that can be dealt with. I was on a varsity sports team, which provided me with a great social network, and the Off Campus program put on lots of events that I was always anxious to go to. I was on campus far more than I expected to be, I felt like I was living there. I stayed with my friends in residence some nights to get a taste of what it was like, and I had a meal plan so I could eat on campus a lot. I didn't let where I lived affect how I ran my life. I took initiative, and I made the most of the opportunities the campus offers. I definitely do not feel like I missed out.

What I'd say to others in the same position would be this: the University experience is what you decide to make it, so don't let where you're living affect what you want to get out of it. Take the initiative yourself to get involved, take advantage of the opportunities presented to you, and enjoy the first year experience that you create for yourself.