As college students, we are given the option to dorm or commute. However, especially in commuter schools like City College, majority of students tend to commute instead of dorm. Approximately 86 percent of college and university students today are commuter students. Many would automatically assume by this statistic that commuting is better than dorming. Although there are a few pros of choosing to commute instead, I believe that there are more benefits when it comes to choosing the dorm life and dorming is worth the college experience. 

                 One of the main reasons dorming is an important experience to have is because it allows you to have first-hand experience of adulthood. This is due to the many responsibilities you are given when living on your own and away from your family’s help or support. As most of us can agree, majority of us have been blessed to be able to depend on our parents growing up. Therefore, given these responsibilities at our prime age as college students, this would help us in the long run as we learn and get a gist of what it is like being independent. Not only do you learn how to manage money and time, but you learn how to other day to day tasks on your own such as cooking on your own, doing your own chores and laundry, and buying your own groceries. Furthermore, because we are less dependent on our parents, we are more prompt to getting part-time jobs in order to support this lifestyle. Studies showed that “the experience of living away from home for the first time was in some ways comparable to that of a typical college student. Improvement in life skills, including increased awareness of personal goals, enhanced vocational goals, increased maturity or assertiveness was reported.” (Kirkendall, 2009) 

                The second and most obviously beneficial reason why dorming would be more convenient is transportation. One of the greatest benefits of dorming is that you are less than 10 minute of walking distance away from campus. This gives dorm students many great college opportunities and easy access to campus and their resources at any given time. An article on pros and cons of commuting states that “Travel time for can be a few minutes or multiple hours. I’ve met undergrads who’ve driven several hours and past state lines to be on campus every day. Time and money quickly add up.” (Cornetta, 2021) Many commute students don’t get the opportunity to connect and partake in college events and club activities due to being so far away. Many club meetings are hosted at random and long hours that may not be reasonable for commute students who live far away. However, as a dorm student, that would not be an issue. Not only are you more connected to your school campus and what it has to offer but you don’t have to worry about being late to your classes since it is so close by. This helps us worry less about commuting to classes on hectic school days or on days where trains/buses would be delayed. “At most residential universities, commuters are less motivated, more likely to miss class, and feel less connected to classmates and the school itself” (Cornetta, 2021) A study conducted on commuter students and the correlation of their stress levels showed that 60% of commuter students feel stressed due to commuting issues. Why should students stress levels increased due to commuting matters when they already have a workload of stress on their hands?

                   So why are majority college students commuting if there are many benefits to dorming? The most obvious answer would be due to financial reasons. Many students, especially those who apply to CUNY schools, come from middle-low class families and don’t have the luxury to spend extra money on dorming. “Because student housing prices are so high, living on campus can be a financial burden if you or your parents are not able to cover the costs, even if you don’t live in a dorm and live in an off-campus apartment.” (Geigel, 2019). However, there are several ways students can dorm without worrying so much on financial issues. Financial aid and scholarships are two of the biggest help when it comes to aiding tuition and other academic fees like housing. Personally, as someone who chose to dorm this semester, financial aid and scholarships have helped me tremendously. 

          Lastly, dorming is a great way to get out of your comfort zone, make connections, and be more involved in your campus and your school’s community. As someone who grew up introverted and shy, dorming has impacted and changed me tremendously for the better. Especially during a time of the pandemic in a commuter school, it is much harder to make friends as many commute students don’t stay on campus for long or are complete online for classes. Unfortunately, because of this, it isn’t as easy for commuters compared to those who dorm, have roommates, and is always walking around campus and running into people.  Furthermore, one of the best advantages of living with your friends is that you are always bound to make fun, exciting memories that commuter students may not be able to experience as often. 

             Dorming is an essential part of a college experience because you can learn and adapt to a whole new setting, have a glimpse of adulthood, and is more likely guaranteed of an exciting experience and connect with different types of people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

                                                                      Cited Sources 

CMCApartments. “4 Benefits of Living in Dorms.” 4 Benefits Of Living In Dorms, https://www.cmcapt.com/4-reasons-to-live-in-a-dorm/. 

Cornetta, Melissa. “Commuting vs Dorming: The Pros and Cons of Each.” College Candy, 15 Jan. 2021, https://collegecandy.com/2021/01/15/commuting-vs-dorming-the-pros-and-cons-of-each/. 

Kirkendall, Abbie, et al. “Transitional Services for Youth With Developmental Disabilities:        

             Living in  College Dorms.” Research on Social Work Practice, vol. 19, no. 4, SAGE   

             Publications, 2009,  pp. 434–45