jessxoxo

So I know my dad loves me a lot. When we argue, he always says that he can't wait for me to move out because he's getting tired of me complaining because I don't know how good I have it. I am a freshman in college right now. Since I don't have a car, my dad drives me back and forth to my school which is 30 mins away from our house. We only have two cars, so me using it while at school is not an option. I like it there, but it can be kind of boring. I can't go to the football games or anything, because I haven't really met anyone to go with. It's basically, go to school, go home, study. I've met a few people, but I haven't really hung out w them or anything. I don't have class Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I sit at home on those days and study. I do have a Saturday class though. When I told my dad I wanted to live there, he goes "Oh your sophomore year?" And I said, "No, the 2nd semester after my freshman year." And he's like, "Oh, it's because you want your independence right? How are you going to manage living on your own without your mom and I on you about studying all the time? How are you going to afford it? Plus, I'll miss you. I'll cry every day." I try to tell him it's because of convenience. Honestly, I feel kind of selfish that my dad is driving me to school when he could be sleeping (he's a cop and works nights). He says he doesn't mind, but I can tell he's tired! I told my mom what he said, and she said he just doesn't want me to leave home. It's not far at all so we could still see each other every weekend! I just want to make more friends at school. I think living there would be better for me to get to know people. I could actually go to the school sponsored events. I won't stop studying for friends, but I do want to make more friends and meet more people, and commuting all four years isn't going to cut it for me! Help?

brambling

I have the same issue as well. (Though I'm close enough to campus to bike)
Is there good public transportation in your area? If there is just learn the buses and trains and try that. If you don't have that option you could set aside a fund for taking a cab places though that can get pricey.

If you can't afford to live on campus (like myself) you could try saving up your funds to buy a cheap junker car or some other sort of vehicle (think scooter) you can just do that.

Either way if you want your independence you're gonna have to scrounge together the money.

CalDud

Get a part-time job and save up money.

3togo

Do your parents already pay for car insurance for you to drive their cars? If so, if you bought an old heap of a used car that may allow you to get yourself back and forth to school ... and the activities at the school.

SinkOrSwim123

I like the buy car and get a job idea (need a car first so you can then drive to your job) since I get how you feel about making your dad have to wake up and send you. But, if you're looking for the whole college experience, I also get how you feel but you can just look at the pros and cons of everything. For one, the main thing I see about the "college experience" is either partying+drinking, if you're into that, and just hanging out with friends (going to the gym, etc.). Maybe some club stuff, but yeah. Right now, staying at home and being a commuter student sounds pretty nice to me, but that's probably b/c I'm just 10 hours away from home. I think it's a lot easier to always look at the other options more better. But have a good talk with your parents, and see what they can agree with you on what is the best situation to do right now, if you open up some other options to them

thisislife

listen to your dad .
Housing is the most expensive part of college for most people .

bl4ke360

Getting your own car would be the best idea since you only live 30 minutes away. And it would be less expensive than housing on campus.

juillet

And if you make friends with residential students, you can stay with them sometimes. My roommate had some friends who were commuter students and they stayed with us sometimes.