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Should you Study Online - at home - or at a Campus? |
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By Craig Friesen
craig.friesen@hqpublications.com
First Stop Contributing Writer
Whether you attend school close to home or across the country could mean the difference between satisfaction and sadness. While this kind of statement may seem extreme, consider the effect your choice could have on life.
Studying Away from Friends & Family - Online Education Keeps you Close
You should not underestimate the support value offered by your family and close friends. If you have never before lived away from home, having your parents or a network of friends close at hand can be a real boost at what can often be a lonely and stressful time. However, studying further away increases the likelihood of new relationships and these days you can keep in touch with family in a lot of inexpensive ways.
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Studying from Home can Save Money
Most students find that they save a fair bit of money staying at home to study. Student housing on or off campus could easily double your expenses even if you are sharing grocery budgets with others. If you choose to live away but close enough to drive home you could still save on laundry, transportation, and other intangibles such as the home baking or leftovers your mother sends with you. Student aid often does not account for all the expenses you incur so if you can save on some of them by studying close to home you will be financially ahead when you leave school. On the other hand, moving away to study may yield greater possibilities for part-time employment, which could help out your bank account considerably. Living away from the immediate security of your parental home could teach you important money management skills you might not otherwise learn.
Your Freedom while Studying Away from Home
Moving away from home will allow you to experience independence like never before. You will decide what time you go to sleep and if you wake up in time for classes. You will not have to ask permission to attend the fraternity party Friday evening and you can wear the same clothes two days in a row if you want. But with freedom comes responsibility. If you miss your morning class because you stayed up late with your new friends, you will only have yourself to blame. It is helpful to note that you do not have to be far away from home to experience freedom. Most young adults appreciate the mature relationship they enjoy with their parents after leaving High School, even when they are still living at home.
Your Choice
The decision to study close to home or further away will certainly impact your learning experience. It's worth considering the benefits of each scenario:
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Benefits of studying online
- emotional support of friends and family
- potentially much lower school expenses
- enjoy mature relationship with your parents
Benefits of going away to study
- experience a new environment and make new friends
- learn important life skills and possibly a greater potential for employment
- enjoy freedom and independence away from family
The quality of your education experience will be affected by the choices you make. Among the many decisions you have to make in preparation for college, you should give some thought to the benefits of where you study in relation to your family. Whatever you decide, the only thing that's just about guaranteed is that student life will be an exciting new experience, wherever you are!
About the author
A freelance writer, Craig Friesen is an ordained Mennonite minister currently serving a congregation in rural Saskatchewan, Canada. He has a B.A. in Religious Studies from University of Manitoba and a M.Div. from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. A computer hobbyist, Craig operates several home-based online businesses in his leisure time.
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