I’ve lived on my own for almost a year, but I am starting to wonder if it is time for me to return to having roommates.
People ask me all the time how I like living alone and whether or not they should try it. But it’s not a question that I can easily answer.
Everyone is different. Although there are times I get lonely, I enjoy living in a single apartment. I learned to cook and clean for myself. I am no longer scared to drive to the store by myself, and it gave me the chance to hold myself accountable and become responsible for getting myself to class, completing my homework and becoming a self-sufficient adult.
When I first decided to move to a single in Cokesbury Court Apartments, I was certain that I didn’t want to live with anyone. I wanted my own space to play my keyboard, watch TV at any hour, throw clothes all over my floor, and run around naked without anyone judging me.
Freshman year I lived in a triple in Walker Hall dormitory. I hated the small space. The room looked trashed every time one article of clothing was on the floor. I needed my space. But at the same time, I loved living with my roommate. She kept me sane and took care of me, which I definitely needed. But after sharing one bathroom with four other women, I decided to live alone the next year.
I learned a lot about myself living alone. I really enjoy the freedom, but I learned I could easily become a hermit if I wasn’t careful. I had to work to be social when previously it just happened naturally.
Planning dinners with friends, joining athletics and doing more with my sorority helped. I could spend time with friends and then go back to a quiet room where no one could bug me.
There are benefits and drawbacks to living alone. Everyone has different needs and wants that should be considered when debating who to live with.
For me, living alone has given me the freedom to mature in my own space. I think everyone should consider living alone once in college.
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