Go Away or Live at Home for School?

Pros of living at school: Easier to be involved in school activities and make friends. Also it's a good way to learn independence in a safe environment.

Cons of living at school: You're surrounded by people all the time and that can be stressful for some students. And you may not like your roommate — or your roommate's friends.

Pros of living at home: Easier to 'disconnect' from your social life when you want, and fewer people around to get along with.

Cons of living at home: Missing out on social events because you have to leave early to catch the last bus/train/subway.

Pros of living at school: You learn how to budget your money and your meal plan points.

Cons of living at school: It's expensive. Residence fees can be the same or more than a year's tuition.

Pros of living at home: It'll be cheaper so you'll probably have less student debt to worry about when you graduate.

Cons of living at home: Your parents may question every spending decision you make, and some parents charge rent!

Pros of living at home: Family support on those days when you have multiple assignments due and you have no idea where to start.

Cons of living at home: Their house, their rules. You may still be subject to a curfew and may not have the independence you crave.

Pros of living at school: Separation can help the relationship between you and your parents so you can relate to your parents as an adult.

Cons of living at school: If something goes wrong, there's no immediate parental support due to distance. You'll have to rely on friends or faculty.

Pros of living at home: Access to the family car and a transit system you already know.

Cons of living at home: Access to the family car depends on others' schedules. You may have to pay for gas, insurance, or if you take transit, a metropass.

Pros of living at school: Self-powered transportation: you can walk, jog or bike to classes and around the town or city.

Cons of living at school: Can be hard to get away if you want a change of scenery.