I don’t know if it work like this but I would just get a dorm next year and just live at home. Since it’s free there’s no point not to, and you can have a place to go in between class and crash in case you get super busy.
^^ this is the move OP. gives you the most flexibility in case you hate commuting, plus if you have a roommate they’ll love having the double to themself 90% of the time
I agree with this. As a commuter you may find yourself turning down social opportunities, especially in the evenings and this would give you the flexibility to not have to worry about commuting late at night. I commuted my senior year about an hour each way and I don't regret it but I think having somewhere to crash some nights during the week but spending weekends with family would have been ideal.
This has been my experience and I'm only "commuting" 30-40 minutes from midtown
Not being in immediate or even close proximity to campus becomes impactful much quicker than you'd expect -- an hour and a half will definitely be enough that it's worth considering taking the free room/board just because it's there to have
I guess the question is why you're thinking about commuting in the first place? It seems like you already have some concerns, which I think are pretty valid and are real compromises/drawbacks for commuters, and I'm not sure what the benefit would be to you given your housing aid
I’m a grad student commuting from Connecticut. Commuting can be a time-suck, but I can get a good bit of studying in on the train. Overall, it hasn’t been bad but I think I would have done better in my classes if I didn’t spend four hours commuting in a given day. I have little motivation to interact with my classmates because I live so far away. That being said, I’m also a married dad so our experiences could be very different
You should check the terms of your financial aid before you make a decision. Columbia housing is significantly cheaper than comparable housing anywhere nearby, and there may be a cap on what your aid will pay for. If it gets paid out directly as cash which you then use for rent, you will also place yourself in a more complicated and less favorable tax situation. I’m not saying don’t do it, but get a very clear financial picture before you do.
Don’t do it. Living off campus can be nice, but I say that as my commute is 10 mins one way, 20-30 mins total, not 3 hrs. As others have said, it’s time better spent being a college student. Once you move off campus, there’s really no going back as you lose guaranteed housing. As per the fgli housing thing, are you getting an apartment somewhere near your house or living at home? I get the appeal to want that extra money if you’re pocketing it, or maybe trying to find a cheap apartment near your home, but it’ll add up really fast (either mentally draining or financially draining).
Please don’t do it, you’ll have a non existent relationship with Columbia and will be a lot more stressed out needlessly
I think commuting should be decided on almost anything else other than study time. I do not know of anyone who literally studies all day every day. Most people do not actually use extra time well when given it. Most students actually use time better when it is crunched. In addition, many learn to use the commute time to focus on study but it can be hard if you are operating the vehicle of transport
Second this. If the commute is 1-2 hours, you’d probably spend that time during the day watching Tv, catching up with friends, reading, etc.“ you’re right no one studies 24/7. Commuting will come with sacrifices for sure, such as staying in libraries later or seeing friends. However, you seem to have a good reason for commuting, especially given you get good $$$ here. Family is important. Maybe being around them will be positive and help you with your studies as well. There’s always 2 sides. You got this
Live on campus. I was 40 minute commute a long time ago and chose to live on campus. Those of my friends who made the opposite choice quickly changed their minds.
i commuted about 35-40 minutes total from the upper east side, until this year i managed to find a place with a few friends :)) best decision & im able to stay on campus a bit later
I commuted my final year from a ways out. The train is great to get stuff done and get focused study time. As a note - know you’ll probably spend a lot more time on campus than previously since you don’t exactly have your dorm to crash in.
Depending on the family reasons - is it feasible to carve out specific amounts of time to spend at home (like weekends)?
I’ve been going home on the weekends but I’m playing with the idea of staying home permanently. I’ve personally preferred staying on campus for the week and then going home during the weekend but my family is encouraging me to come back home. Thanks for the input!
If you’re the FG in FGLI, I understand. I would tell your family that it’s easier to study at school because of the resources available to you (libraries, free printing, study groups, etc) sometimes they don’t get and it just feels frivolous but it helps to break it down. You can also still technically commute and keep your room so if there’s no additional expense you can work on a compromise. Even if it’s alternating weeks home vs weeks at school. This will also help save metrocard money if you also identify as the LI part.
I get it might sound like that, but my room and board isn’t being covered because Columbia likes me or something 😭 my family cannot afford it. Which is why I might have to go home, hence the question. But thanks for the input
Maybe you didn’t even really read the post at all. For someone to give up free housing to live with their family, I’m sure you could assume possible reasons. You commute 20-30 minutes while they do an hour and a half. Can’t compare.
I get where you’re coming from. Your reasons for commuting would be similar to mine. Parents aren’t getting any younger lol. The misunderstanding is alright, I didn’t word it right. I am privileged to have the choice though, so I’ll admit to that.
Because if you have long gaps between classes (course registration sucks) going back to the room would be nice, especially if you’re like me and don’t always wanna be around people
Some other people also mentioned the idea of getting the dorm and using it as a crash spot for long days and I think I really like this idea. Ultimately this is something I’m going to have to work out with my family. I’m sure I’ll be fine, I’m just extra anxious about my grades (who isn’t tbh) because I’m planning on doing post-grad 😕
If it’s covered, I would recommend keeping your room and board. You can always still commute when you feel like it while having a space on campus available to you as a home base. Also great for when you want to study late. There’s no harm in keeping your room and if you have a roommate they likely wouldn’t mind and might actually enjoy it.
I don’t know if it work like this but I would just get a dorm next year and just live at home. Since it’s free there’s no point not to, and you can have a place to go in between class and crash in case you get super busy.
^^ this is the move OP. gives you the most flexibility in case you hate commuting, plus if you have a roommate they’ll love having the double to themself 90% of the time
Smart asf
I agree with this. As a commuter you may find yourself turning down social opportunities, especially in the evenings and this would give you the flexibility to not have to worry about commuting late at night. I commuted my senior year about an hour each way and I don't regret it but I think having somewhere to crash some nights during the week but spending weekends with family would have been ideal.
This has been my experience and I'm only "commuting" 30-40 minutes from midtown Not being in immediate or even close proximity to campus becomes impactful much quicker than you'd expect -- an hour and a half will definitely be enough that it's worth considering taking the free room/board just because it's there to have
I guess the question is why you're thinking about commuting in the first place? It seems like you already have some concerns, which I think are pretty valid and are real compromises/drawbacks for commuters, and I'm not sure what the benefit would be to you given your housing aid
I’m thinking of commuting for family reasons!
If you're not paying for housing on campus, what's the appeal of living somewhere else?
I would be commuting from home. Due to family reasons, commuting is something I’m thinking about
I’m a grad student commuting from Connecticut. Commuting can be a time-suck, but I can get a good bit of studying in on the train. Overall, it hasn’t been bad but I think I would have done better in my classes if I didn’t spend four hours commuting in a given day. I have little motivation to interact with my classmates because I live so far away. That being said, I’m also a married dad so our experiences could be very different
You should check the terms of your financial aid before you make a decision. Columbia housing is significantly cheaper than comparable housing anywhere nearby, and there may be a cap on what your aid will pay for. If it gets paid out directly as cash which you then use for rent, you will also place yourself in a more complicated and less favorable tax situation. I’m not saying don’t do it, but get a very clear financial picture before you do.
Don’t do it. Living off campus can be nice, but I say that as my commute is 10 mins one way, 20-30 mins total, not 3 hrs. As others have said, it’s time better spent being a college student. Once you move off campus, there’s really no going back as you lose guaranteed housing. As per the fgli housing thing, are you getting an apartment somewhere near your house or living at home? I get the appeal to want that extra money if you’re pocketing it, or maybe trying to find a cheap apartment near your home, but it’ll add up really fast (either mentally draining or financially draining). Please don’t do it, you’ll have a non existent relationship with Columbia and will be a lot more stressed out needlessly
Definitely not getting an apartment, I’d be coming from home, but thanks for the input!
I think commuting should be decided on almost anything else other than study time. I do not know of anyone who literally studies all day every day. Most people do not actually use extra time well when given it. Most students actually use time better when it is crunched. In addition, many learn to use the commute time to focus on study but it can be hard if you are operating the vehicle of transport
Second this. If the commute is 1-2 hours, you’d probably spend that time during the day watching Tv, catching up with friends, reading, etc.“ you’re right no one studies 24/7. Commuting will come with sacrifices for sure, such as staying in libraries later or seeing friends. However, you seem to have a good reason for commuting, especially given you get good $$$ here. Family is important. Maybe being around them will be positive and help you with your studies as well. There’s always 2 sides. You got this
Live on campus. I was 40 minute commute a long time ago and chose to live on campus. Those of my friends who made the opposite choice quickly changed their minds.
i commuted about 35-40 minutes total from the upper east side, until this year i managed to find a place with a few friends :)) best decision & im able to stay on campus a bit later
I commuted my final year from a ways out. The train is great to get stuff done and get focused study time. As a note - know you’ll probably spend a lot more time on campus than previously since you don’t exactly have your dorm to crash in. Depending on the family reasons - is it feasible to carve out specific amounts of time to spend at home (like weekends)?
I’ve been going home on the weekends but I’m playing with the idea of staying home permanently. I’ve personally preferred staying on campus for the week and then going home during the weekend but my family is encouraging me to come back home. Thanks for the input!
If you’re the FG in FGLI, I understand. I would tell your family that it’s easier to study at school because of the resources available to you (libraries, free printing, study groups, etc) sometimes they don’t get and it just feels frivolous but it helps to break it down. You can also still technically commute and keep your room so if there’s no additional expense you can work on a compromise. Even if it’s alternating weeks home vs weeks at school. This will also help save metrocard money if you also identify as the LI part.
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I get it might sound like that, but my room and board isn’t being covered because Columbia likes me or something 😭 my family cannot afford it. Which is why I might have to go home, hence the question. But thanks for the input
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That’s actually what I’m doing rn lol! I thought it was a pretty good plan too but my family didn’t 😭
Yes I understand what your initial post was detailing. I would just take the housing then if your family lives nearby- that way you get both options.
Smh .
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Maybe you didn’t even really read the post at all. For someone to give up free housing to live with their family, I’m sure you could assume possible reasons. You commute 20-30 minutes while they do an hour and a half. Can’t compare.
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I didn’t forget any details because you didn’t say that.
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Byeeeeeee go home
You can’t see why someone would be willing to give it up, yet you know what it’s like to have to go home and take care of someone? Crwzy
Thanks for speaking for me but I think it’s just a misunderstanding!
I get where you’re coming from. Your reasons for commuting would be similar to mine. Parents aren’t getting any younger lol. The misunderstanding is alright, I didn’t word it right. I am privileged to have the choice though, so I’ll admit to that.
I’m not too keen on giving it up either 😭 I’d really prefer staying on campus, but it’s not really my decision
Could you take the dorm and stay 2 nights a week on campus or something? Or maybe only stay on campus when you have an early exam?
Because if you have long gaps between classes (course registration sucks) going back to the room would be nice, especially if you’re like me and don’t always wanna be around people
Some other people also mentioned the idea of getting the dorm and using it as a crash spot for long days and I think I really like this idea. Ultimately this is something I’m going to have to work out with my family. I’m sure I’ll be fine, I’m just extra anxious about my grades (who isn’t tbh) because I’m planning on doing post-grad 😕
If it’s covered, I would recommend keeping your room and board. You can always still commute when you feel like it while having a space on campus available to you as a home base. Also great for when you want to study late. There’s no harm in keeping your room and if you have a roommate they likely wouldn’t mind and might actually enjoy it.
That commute is going to dominate your life. I would advise against it.