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College Student Living at Home
19/f
I was going to go away for college until I found out the day after I graduated that I was adopted. I decided I wanted to stay home for a little while. I do not attend community college or junior college. I am in the university. So, there are dorms. As of right now, I am living at home. I live with my mother and my grandparents. Although I love them very much, there are some issues with living with them. For one, my grandparents are older and this IS their home. They have their habits, which I cannot break. For one, my aunt (who lives across the street) comes here EVERY NIGHT to watch soap operas with my grandmother. They are not in a private room watching these quietly. They watch it VERY LOUD in the living room.
Recently, I fixed my room to make it more adult-like. But, that was not the solution. My mom spends all her time inside of my room listening to music and playing on the computer. I asked her if she could please relocate the computer to another area of the house. I would not mind it because I have a laptop. But, having the main computer of the house located in my room is a problem. Not only is that the computer everyone uses, but my cousins (who live across the street) come over all the time to use my printer, when the internet is down, etc. That room is NOT mine. It is like a community room where the privacy is handed to me after midnight... sometimes.
I am on a full scholarship at my school. Therefore, I do not pay anything. In fact, I get money back. This is usually about $3000 per semester. I try to use my money wisely and not spend it on things that I can't really afford. Don't get me wrong, I like to treat myself too, I'm just saying I'm not spending money all over the place. Aside from that, i do work part time. I make about $1000 a month. I cannot work more than that because I am a student and my priority is school. I also need time to exercise and go to club meetings and society meetings at school. As far as a dorm goes, I cannot afford it. They will not give me extra aid to go get a dorm. I would have to take out loans, which my parents are completely and totally against. I'm not too big a fan of loans either, unless there is no other way.
My other option would be renting an apartment. But, realistically, with the way the economy is, I don't think there's a way. What if I don't keep my job? All my money would go to the apartment and I wouldn't be able to do ANYTHING (like eat). lol. There has to be something I'm missing here. Living in my house could be an option if I had a shed or something... but I don't. I came from a school where everyone was really rich. I've always had less money than they did and I'm not exactly poor. But, these people were RICH, like millionares. I need an option here, because living with my parents isn't cutting it. This is not a place for a student. If I were older and working, and had nothing to do when I got home, then maybe yeah. But, when I get home, I need quiet to study. I need to unwind because I'm juggling school, work, and my certification to become a fitness instructor. I'm a little older now and I need my own space.
Going away to college is not an option anymore. Everything is here: family, friends, boyfriend, work, and organizations that will find me a job in the future. I love my school and I can't leave my dog here either. I know it sounds crazy, but I've had him for a while and there's just no way that I can leave the dog. lol.
If you can offer me advice, there HAS to be something I'm overlooking. Please only answer if you have a real, genuine idea for me. Please don't say look into cheaper housing or find a roomate. No one here is willing to room and I refuse to room with a stranger. I just need an idea to have more privacy and my own space.
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I agree with the below person, I would just move the computer to another room and speak to your family about the privacy that you would like to have. Let them know that you are growing up, in college, and need some space to study and be an adult. Also, maybe think about saving up some money this way you can have some money to either use for housing or to get an apartment. I know that you said that you would not like to live with a roomate, but really it can be a great experience. It gets you out there with some new people, gives you the privacy that you need, etc.
If you still don't like the idea of a roomate, then your best option is to just speak openly to your family about how you have been feeling and what you would like to change, I'm sure that they will understand. They love you and want you to be happy.
Hope I Helped :)
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Could you just move the computer to another room yourself? Explain that you need to study and that you are taking college seriously, and can't be interrupted. As for the loud TV, you could go to either the school library or a local library to get your studying done. Or use a computer or whatever you need to do that requires quiet.
If you can't afford any apartments at all, even the cheapest ones, and refuse to live with a stranger..it doesn't sound like you really have many other options. The only thing I could say is you could look for a roommate and meet & talk to them a couple times so they wouldn't be a stranger. My college's newspaper has classifieds all the time for people looking for roommates. Also, for whatever reason, small houses are cheaper here than apartments. A lot of the parents of the kids living in them own them, so they are more willing to give you a better deal. Check your schools newspaper or see if there is a special place on the schools website where you can search for people who are also looking for roommates. Living with a stranger isn't all that bad-they aren't a stranger for long. And because they are in the same situation as you (ie working college student) they are more likely to relate to you and respect your space.
I would also reconsider student loans. Fill out the FAFSA and you will probably get offered student loans. You don't have to pay them back until after you graduate and find a job. And once you do start having to pay them back, you only have to pay up to 10% of your gross income. They won't be as big of a burden later in life as you think. Plus the loans I have don't accrue interest until after I graduate. It just depends on the loan.
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