So what do you think would be best

[TheTruth]

when going to university.

1) Moving away from home (as in not a half hour drive away like 3 hours or more)?

2) Or staying local so you can still live at home?

Just curious on people's opinion on this subject because i'm not really sure on what to do.

[JackOfClubs]

Well, for me, it depends on how I do in high school and what colleges offer what I want. If I can get into a college near home that does what I want, I'll probably do that, as I won't have to pay dorm fees. But if I can't I'll just move into a dorm. I might be going to Ireland though for college, because its cheaper (was free, then it was changed :() and we still own a house there so I could just live in that :D

[Lilith]

I'm saving the money and staying at home, which because of the economy is now even more acceptable.

Unless you want to go to an out-of-state college, I don't think spending the extra money and have the extra stress would be worth it.

[INFERNO]

I'll be in my third-year at university and for all the years so far, I've been living at home. First, it cuts down costs a lot. Second, there's always issues with who your room mates will be on campus and if you are fortunate enough to get a private room, it's quite easy to hear the students through the walls. Third, you don't have to worry about moving into residence (it's very hectic on the move-in days because people have all sorts of furniture with them). You can keep everything at home, perhaps tidy the room if need be and buy pens, pencils, etc... . Fourth, you can get good food and don't need to buy it yourself.

There are advantages though because most universities pair you up with a room mate(s) who is studying the same stuff you are so you can have your own miniature study group. You also don't have to worry about getting to classes because you'll be so close to campus.

For myself, I head over to a train station (5-8 minute drive) then take a bus that goes straight into campus. In the summers, it's maybe a 30-35 minute trip. In the winters, it's probably a 40-45 minute trip, however, if a train is delayed then it could be longer. My father drives me to the train station so I can avoid the long and frustrating mess of finding a parking space, and if the train is very late, he'll drive (or I'll drive, him in passenger seat) to campus.

If the university you wish to go to is, say, 3 hours from home, then you have two choices: 1) Find a different university you'd be happy with that's closer or 2) Live away from home. Living away from home though automatically puts on a whole pile of added responsibilities though.

I've been in the residences before (over-night stays sometimes with friends who live on campus) and it can be both fun and frustrating. It's very frustrating because if someone is playing music too loud, being too rowdy, coming into residence drunk (most universities have a bar/pub on-campus or near campus), it can be pretty irritating.

The first week or so generally is fairly noisy as people are all hyped up. When it comes closer to mid-terms and especially exams, there's very little noise. If you have to do lab reports or other assignments, it can be helpful if you have a good and willing room mate but it can also be a pain due to others being noisy.