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Asperger96
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25 Oct 2013, 4:02 pm

I'm applying for a university and am unsure about whether or not I should live on campus. It's about 45 minutes from home (but still too far to commute), and I know that if I am accepted I will have to live there (or else not go).

I am not entirely sure what I should do. I don't know if I could live away from home yet, and I am uneasy about having a roommate (I'm not sure if I am allowed my own room).

I do, however, look forward to no longer having to live under the thumb of my Grandmother, and would (maybe) enjoy the new experiences.

I am somewhat disorganized, and am (kinda, sorta) anti-social.

I could easily be overwhelmed, but I might also have many precious experiences.

So... any thoughts? Suggestions? Experiences? Graven Warnings?



Thelibrarian
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25 Oct 2013, 4:21 pm

If living on campus is the only way possible for you to attend school, my best advice would be to grin and bear it. But campuses are terribly noisy places, and there are a lot of temptations not to study.



cathylynn
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25 Oct 2013, 6:46 pm

I know a few people who had single rooms in college, sometimes at a slightly higher cost. worth checking into.



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25 Oct 2013, 7:59 pm

I lived on campus of a small to medium university for my undergraduate years. My first experience with a roommate was not a good one but the school was quick to move me elsewhere as soon as I asked. My second roommate I lived with for four years. I loved living on campus! Everything was so conveniently placed. Its even better if you get a job on campus because the you just walk yourself to work. I had a great experience living on campus and its much cheaper than living off campus. Having a roommate is a trying process and learning to live with another human being isn't easy but it can be worth it. I had no option but to live on campus as my school was 300 miles away from my hometown. I really think it helped me grow as a person and I had a good time. Give it a try. Its a nice, sheltered transition between home and apartment living.



DoodleDoo
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26 Oct 2013, 8:59 pm

45 minutes is not too far. Still it cost 90 minutes a day + fueling and wearing out a car.
So a plus for on campus is it saves time. And who said you have to live on campus, this is BS unless there is absolutely no other civilization between home and campus. You can live somewhere near campus or even halfway between home and campus, who says you cannot do this? If things go bad on campus you can always come back home too.

Another thing is the adjustment of living outside of home, you may be underestimating how big it may be. You could do it before you go to college and see how you adjust.



MadeUnderground
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27 Oct 2013, 4:39 am

I think you should try it.

Maybe if possible talk to the admissions or housing department so you can get a single.

I always want to live in the dorm. The dorm is where all the excitement happens.

You can walk down the hallway and go into the lounge and see people gaming out on Xbox or PS3 and jump in on the action.
Students are likely to knock on your door and ask if you want to go grab a bite to eat, or what was the assignment for Chemistry the next day?

I dunno, it's really what you're looking for. I liked living in the dorms because I could be locked away in my own room and be by myself (including avoiding people knock on my door) OR if I felt like being social, kept my door open, walked out into the hallway to see what craziness was afoot.

I lived in an apartment on campus too. Very isolated. Very lonely. Very quiet. Hated it. But it may be perfect for you.

Only you know yourself, but unless someone has some medical reason why they shouldn't live in a dorm, I'd always recommend it - at least for one semester just to give it a go!

I'll never regret living in the dorms. I lived in a dorm for 2 years during High school because I went to boarding school, I lived in a dorm for a year when I went to one university then got an apartment on campus, then I transferred to another university and lived in a dorm for a semester before getting a townhouse...
Even though I'll probably be in a townhouse for another year, I want to eventually move back to the dorms as a senior believe it or not. :D



Asperger96
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27 Oct 2013, 12:15 pm

DoodleDoo wrote:
45 minutes is not too far. Still it cost 90 minutes a day + fueling and wearing out a car.
So a plus for on campus is it saves time. And who said you have to live on campus, this is BS unless there is absolutely no other civilization between home and campus. You can live somewhere near campus or even halfway between home and campus, who says you cannot do this? If things go bad on campus you can always come back home too.

Another thing is the adjustment of living outside of home, you may be underestimating how big it may be. You could do it before you go to college and see how you adjust.


I really can't. I can't drive, and my family is quite unwilling to drive me there.



ghosting
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17 Nov 2013, 10:46 am

I lived in dorms for my first two years, and then I moved out to my own apartment. Fortunately, I had a single room both years. If you talk to the people in charge of assigning rooms, you can usually get special accommodations/your own room.
I had a very hard time with people and voices outside my door in second year, but that was because my room was directly across from the common room. I also had trouble going into common spaces, because being around groups of people I don't know makes me nervous.
It's a good experience to (potentially) get out of your comfort zone, but it can be a stretch at times.
For convenience, you can't beat it. It opens up a lot of doors to employment on campus, too, because you're always around.
I've also found it to be slightly less expensive than living on your own, especially if you have a meal plan. That's another point of convenience! You can eat pretty much whenever you need to, so if you like scheduling your own time it's very helpful.
I suggest you go for it and see how you do. Then at least you know what you're capable of handling.
Good luck!



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17 Nov 2013, 1:05 pm

Most colleges/universities allow you to apply for medical singles - you'd probably be eligible since yo have asperger's. One of my friends got one every year she was at school.

My advice would be to live in the dorms. It's a great way to meet people and not get left out of the whole college experience. You won't want to miss it; college is much, much better than high school (and I liked high school).



thewhitrbbit
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18 Nov 2013, 11:32 am

The million dollar question.

Do you want to explore the social aspect of college?

If you do, live on campus with a room mate. Through my college room mate, I met my first serious girlfriend, and two people I am still friends with, 10 years later.

Living in a single your freshmen year could def reduce your socialization. Now that isn't a bad thing if your not interested meeting people and making friends, but if you are, then I'd say get a regular room.