This article was written by an external contributor. Chinyere Ogwe argues why every student should try living by themselves at least once.
Living away at university often means having to share a home and communal spaces with others. For some, this can be a positive experience, but for others, it can be very negative. A big part of living away is all about learning to live with others, but sometimes the downsides of this can be very depressing and overwhelming, so for some people, choosing to live alone may be the best decision.
When I was living away at university, I wanted to live on my own but I could never afford it. But had this option been accessible to me, I definitely would have benefited from it because I really struggled with living with others and I really can’t stand filth, noise and toxic housemates.
If you want your own space and you don’t feel lonely easily, then living on your own as a student is a certainly a good option – if you can afford it. If its too expensive to live by yourself, then here are some tips on how to cope with living in a negative space and some more advice on what types of flatmates to expect.
So here are some things to bear in mind if you’re trying to figure out whether or not flying solo is an option for you.
You won’t have to deal with other people’s mess
There’s nothing worse than a filthy flatmate, and coming home to a dirty home is unpleasant and enough to put anyone in a bad mood. Living on your own means that you don’t have to deal with other people’s mess. You can keep your place tidy, go out and feel assured that your place will be as tidy as you left it – and that’s absolute bliss.
You have access to your own personal space
Living on your own means that you have total access to your own space, so you’d no longer have to deal with a flatmate that harasses you and can’t respect your boundaries. You can go about your space as you please. Also, everything in your home is yours and not for the taking, so you won’t have to worry about those awful housemates that love to pinch other people’s things.
Your space is yours, and that’s glorious.
No more drama
You won’t always see eye to eye with some of the people you live with, and that’s okay. What’s worse are the ones who create drama and cause problems for no reason – and it’s not worth it. Living on your own means that you don’t have live in a tense atmosphere and you don’t have to deal with toxic people who suck the life out of you. And not having drama means that your university experience is much more likely to be a positive experience overall.
Less distractions
Living with people can come with certain challenges, such as noise and the pressure to go out to a club every night. Living on your own means that you don’t have to deal with unnecessary distractions and pressures, and you can stay focused on your studies and commitments.
Even though living alone guarantees less distractions, not having anyone to interact with can be lonely. But it doesn’t have to be. As long as you’re not a recluse and you don’t stay in your home day in and day out, you should be able to surround yourself with good company. Hang out with friends. Join clubs and societies. Get a part-time or flexible job. Take part in volunteering activities. Get a pet – if you’re tenancy allows it and you’re sure you can handle the responsibilities that come with looking after a pet.
You can decorate however you want
Like I said before, your space is your own, so you can decorate it how you want and add your personal touches. You won’t have to worry about someone else’s opinion or approval – so add those snazzy posters, get those fancy cushions and implement your own colour coordinated theme. You have the freedom to add what you want to your place because it’s your home!
Do you live on your own at university? Would you consider living on your own as a student if you could? Let us know at @DebutCareers!
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