Moving Out & Going To University or College; Is A Student Lifestyle Worth The Debt?

Those who have started university this year have done with the world’s economic crisis on their shoulders. Knowing that they will be in thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds debt by the time they leave may have put many of them off from deciding to live in halls. As university fees are at an all time high (£3290 per year for an average degree course), it seems that, more than ever before, students are deciding to go to universities close to the family home, thus preventing themselves from paying another £4000 a year in rent and bills. It seems a smart and savvy choice for a young person to make. I mean, who does want all that debt hanging over them? But, for many people, the student lifestyle is what university is all about; who would want to give that up?

1) MONEY.  Student accommodation rent can range from £50 per week, to £100 per week depending on what kind of place you are living in. This is a huge amount of money, especially if you don’t have a part time job. Maintenance bursaries may be able to cover the amount, but these are means tested and are not very generous in my eyes. I took out a maintenance loan in my first year, but even that could not cover my hall fees.  

2) COMFORT and NO EVIL LANDLORDS.  In my experience, student houses are, in general, vile. Think mould, damp, flaking paint.  Student landlords are often dishonest and simply do not care about poor living conditions. When we first moved into our house in our third year the list of problems with the property was huge. It was supposed to be a furnished house but I didn’t even have a bed. The central heating did not work and there were no locks on the doors.  If living at home however, I bet you will sleep in a comfy bed (instead of a sofa!), knowing that you are safe because the doors are locked at you won’t die of hyperthermia over night.

3) REVISION TIME. Some may find it much easier to revise and study in their family home rather than in a student house with their best friends there 24/7 to distract them. Lauren (22), spent her first two years at university living in student accommodation, but moved back home in her third year so she could concentrate on her dissertation and finals. She graduated this summer with a 2.1, so her hard work must have paid off!  

4) SUPPORT. Friends are amazing, but nothing beats support from your parents and siblings. (This includes support in the form of cooking, washing and ironing!)

5) SOCIAL LIFE is still possible. Yes, you may get the occasional ‘where you going, who you going with’ Q and A session, but living at home means you probably will have more money to do stuff anyway. Nikki (21), a third year law student at the University of Birmingham, has spent her student years commuting from her home in Halesowen to her lectures and seminars on campus. She told me that choosing Birmingham and living in her family home was a decision purely based on funding, but one she doesn’t regret. “I didn’t want to waste money on moving out when I could stay at home. I was worried that I would miss out on nights out and socials but I go to everything! I met so many friends through my course and societies, and most of them live in student accommodation, so I crash at their place after we go out drinking’.

1) TO LEARN. Forget about your course. I mean, to learn about yourself, who you are and what you are capable of. To learn to look after yourself and to stand on your own two feet. To budget, to be organised and to get on with others.

2) TO GROW UP. Face it; you have to move out of your family home some day. Moving to university is probably the best way to make that step. Compared to moving out properly, moving to university is an easier step for you and your family - you are most likely only living away from home 30 weeks of the year!

3) REVISION TIME. Those who work well with others and enjoy learning from others may prefer living in student accommodation. Students famously love to party, but are still at university to get a degree! Revising together, testing each other and practising presentations together will all help in learning.  Halls and student houses are also never far from campus and therefore close to libraries and learning resources.

4) SUPPORT. Yes, as I have said above, nothing beats support from family, but friends are amazing. As the cliché goes; ‘friends are the family we choose for ourselves’.  They will laugh with you through the good times, and help you through the bad times. They are unlikely however (no matter how good a friend they are) to do your cooking, washing and ironing like mum. But you do have to learn sometime!

5) SOCIAL LIFE. Crystal, (21) a third year psychology student puts it perfectly. ‘You can still go out and have friends whilst living with family, but living with friends gives you so much more. I lived in my family home a few miles away in my first year, but have lived with friends the last two years. It still feels like a sleepover! Me and my housemates are up chatting past 2am, make last minute plans to go out, sit watching movie marathons, play ‘come dine with me’, go on midnight walks and have midnight feasts’.  

It still comes down to that one question; 'is it worth the debt?'. I suppose in these times, one has to say no, especially if money is not the only reason you are struggling to make a decision. But after living the student lifestyle and having the debt to prove it, I say YES YES YES!

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