The decision of whether to live at home or away from home during college is an important one, as both options have their advantages and disadvantages. While living at home provides family support, living away from home provides opportunities for independence and getting important skills. This essay argues that the positive aspects of living away from home outweigh the negatives.
One of the primary advantages of living away from home is the development of independence.Students who live on their own are responsible for managing their finances, time, and daily routines.As an example ,Research by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows that students who live independently are 65% more likely to report feeling “better prepared for professional life” compared to those who stayed with their families. Additionally,students can learn some essential life skills like cooking, cleaning and time management, which are crucial for future success.This means that they are more prepared for adulthood and later life. For example,the National Union of Students (NUS) discovered that 79% of students who lived away from home were better at performing household duties in the future, including cooking and cleaning up after themselves.
On the other hand , being away from family and friends can lead to feelings of homesickness and loneliness.This means that students may miss out on the emotional and practical support provided by family members.For instance , According to a study published in the British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 40% of students who stayed away from home experienced little to high levels of sadness during their first year.
In conclusion, while living away from home to study at university offers the potential for significant skill gains and independence, it also comes with challenges, such as the lack of family support.