Living Situation

[TJ Wells]

So here's my situation; I'm 22. I went to Junior College for two years, got all my gen eds done, took two years off to work/slack the FUCK off. Am now applying to Columbia College Chicago to major in post-production with a minor in critical studies. My question is, what would I be best off doing, living-wise;

+ living at home with my grandma, which would require a 40 minutes driving, 2 hours on the train, and 30 minutes on the subway every day
+ living with a few friends at their apartment in Lincoln Park (neighborhood in the city), which would require just the subway ride, but would require me also getting a part-time job/working at the school
+ living on campus, which would require a larger loan but would basically eliminate all transportation expenses (and food expenses if i got that)

Suggestions?

[alltimeGreg]

Live on campus

[Smash Adams]

2nd one seems like the best option

[Taking_Frags]

2nd one seems like the best option

This. Getting a job on campus isn't bad at all either since they're understanding that you're a student and extremely flexible hours.

[tyramail]

i would go with the second or third option. i've been going to school full time for a year and a half and working 32 hours a week, and it hasn't been too bad.

[samsara]

Second. Work for hire and work study jobs are pretty easy. Just make sure you apply for a job that doesnt have too much traffic flow.

[Neo Cassady]

Campus job. Work at the dining hall and get free food.

[TJ Wells]

I think it's going to depend on how much I get from scholarships and financial aid. Columbia's not nearly as expensive as I thought.

[deadkidsean]

Ah man, Columbia is so fucking awesome. It was my girlfriend's second choice...she loved her visit there, though. She said I would have been in Heaven.

[sdbrown]

So here's my situation; I'm 22. I went to Junior College for two years, got all my gen eds done, took two years off to work/slack the FUCK off. Am now applying to Columbia College Chicago to major in post-production with a minor in critical studies. My question is, what would I be best off doing, living-wise;

+ living at home with my grandma, which would require a 40 minutes driving, 2 hours on the train, and 30 minutes on the subway every day
+ living with a few friends at their apartment in Lincoln Park (neighborhood in the city), which would require just the subway ride, but would require me also getting a part-time job/working at the school
+ living on campus, which would require a larger loan but would basically eliminate all transportation expenses (and food expenses if i got that)

Suggestions?
Apply to be an RA? I'd say eliminate option 1, that is way too much travel time (not to mention if you need to get there early or the el breaks down you're fucked). I'd say get the job because it'll be something to add on your resume and it'll give you more freedom living with your friends. And there are places in Lincoln park that are fucking amazing rent wise if you need something cheaper than what your friends are making you pay.

[TJ Wells]

Well, it don't get much cheaper than $300 a month.

[saysmydoctor]

Live with the friends. Off campus is the best.

[Chancetobe]

I think your too old to live on campus and not feel like a loner/loser. Go off campus with friends. Jobs are good to have anyway. Good on resume, teaches responsibility, ect.

[Srsly]

Either two or three

[fieldbelow]

Lincoln Park. It's a nice neighborhood and living with friends is always good.

[TJ Wells]

I think your too old to live on campus and not feel like a loner/loser. Go off campus with friends. Jobs are good to have anyway. Good on resume, teaches responsibility, ect.
Columbia rents out apartment buildings for dorms. Building I'd be staying in is mainly for students over 21, with several floors only for 21+.

[.invisible ink.]

either option 2 or 3. I'm not really that much of a proponent of working while in school, but like others suggested, try getting a job on campus, that's the way to go or get a job/internship in the field you're trying to get into. Obviously an internship doesn't really pay the bills but it might turn into a paying gig after a little while and it'll look great on your resume once you graduate.

[shimmyshakes]

Apartment with friends.

[Spenny]

I think it's going to depend on how much I get from scholarships and financial aid. Columbia's not nearly as expensive as I thought.
Tuiton-wise or for living expenses on-campus?

It's these times that I love living in Canada, what with our incredibly affordable post-secondary schooling. Schools in Ontario are a fair bit more expensive for post-baccalaureate degrees, like Law, than anywhere else, but I myself am going to school and four courses a term + textbooks is about $2800, so under $6000 per year. Living at home though, since I live only an hour away from my school by transit.

For your situation, I think the second or third choices are your best options. I personally don't work while I'm doing a full-time course load, since I don't need student loans and thus have nothing to pay off. But I have a friend who is working 40 hour weeks and going to school full-time (four courses a term/12 credits) and they have a CGPA of around 3.2. Definitely manageable if you can stay on-track and focused and can adhere to a schedule well.

[xxemo_kittyxx]

Second or third, but I would most likely go with on-campus housing since it's your first year. My first semester was really exhausting, I lived off campus but it was only a 5-10 minute walk to my faculty building where all my classes were. I went home after dark a lot and was usually too exhausted to study after I got back. If I had lived with my family (my house is about a 45 minute drive from campus) I don't think I would've managed. First semesters are usually for trials because right now what matters most is your studies and you wouldn't want to risk that for cheaper housing.

[KellyGleason]

$300 a month? Go for that! I wish I could find a place that cheap around here, so I could move out. Definitely get a job and live with your friends.

[TJ Wells]

$300 a month? Go for that! I wish I could find a place that cheap around here, so I could move out. Definitely get a job and live with your friends.
I'll be doing that my second year, but I really want to get the experience of living "on-campus" my first year. When it comes down to it, it's not that much more a month (when you figure in transportation, food, etc.)

[KellyGleason]

I'll be doing that my second year, but I really want to get the experience of living "on-campus" my first year. When it comes down to it, it's not that much more a month (when you figure in transportation, food, etc.)Yeah I understand, I go to a commuter school. But I take about 15 credits and work 40 hours a week, and it's manageable. Sometimes I wish I got the "on-campus" experience, but the experience I DID have on-campus probably kept me away from it for good! Haha. If you want to do that, then do it! Do whatever makes you happy. :-)

[MilesToGo]

I would live on campus for your first year. Especially since you haven't been in school for two years. Its incredibly convenient and makes the transition a lot smoother, in my opinion That way you can get into the swing of things and judge exactly how much time you'll need to spend in class/studying and gives you time to make some friends before you have to worry about bills and food and getting a job and all that jazz. Also, it's nice living close if you have breaks in between your classes. That way, if they are spread out, you can go home in your down time, instead of having to hang around. I know it's not the same situation, but I chose to live on campus this year (sophomore year, first year at a 4-year) instead of in an off campus apartment with my friends that would have been a lot cheaper, and I don't regret it one bit. Although, while I'm glad I'm in the dorms this year, I'm over it for next year and will be getting an apartment! haha