Why You Should Stay at College on the Weekends

If you live at a residential college, it is inevitable that students will go home on the weekends. Some students will leave every Friday after their last class, others go home once a month, and maybe others will go home only for holiday breaks.

If you are contemplating being one of those who goes home every weekend, you should do the reverse and consider staying most or all Saturdays and Sundays. Here's why:

You will be better adjusted to college life. You will know your way around campus and the town from exploring; have more friends because you stayed around to socialize, and have more activities to look forward to. Sure you miss your own bed and Mom's cooking, but going home every weekend won't be the same thing as hanging out with your college friends.

There will be extracurricular events happening on the weekend. Campus activity groups plan free and fun events such as concerts, karaoke nights, game nights, and more. While these events get crowded, they are a lot of fun and you will want to come back for more. Plus, they are alcohol free so if you don't want anything to do with drunken students and their reputation for being irresponsible, you're coming to the right place.

Along with on campus activities, there may be off campus excursions. You usually have to pay a moderate fee, but a day long trip to New York City, Baltimore, or any other city within reasonable driving distance will be worth it. You get to see a new city, spend some time away from campus, and take in sights and sounds you will never forget. If you work at college, now is a great time to spend that hard earned paycheck for some souvenirs.

You will have privacy if your roommate frequently goes home on the weekends and you stay. What person in any roommate situation, even the best ones, could resist a weekend of a room to themselves? You should still have respect for your neighbors who stuck around, but take advantage of your time alone. Get caught up on studying. Watch or listen to something that your roommate can't stand. Best of all; don't worry about their snoring or obnoxious alarm clock waking you up.

Getting a job is also a great reason to be on campus during the weekend. You may not be able to work much during the week due to your class schedule and if your job at home doesn't allow you to come in every weekend to work (or you choose not to do so), this is a great way to keep the cash coming.

If you are the partying type, you won't want to miss the happening off campus parties. However, always be responsible when going out. Don't drive drunk, don't drink more than you can handle, and never walk home alone late at night. Have fun, but be careful what you're doing and who you're doing it with.

Lastly, you will save gas money, spare yourself the trouble of packing and hauling more stuff back to school or home than necessary, and won't have to fight for a parking space when coming back on Sunday night.

It is fine to go home on the weekends if you don't abuse that right, but you should also consider staying at school during that time. Would you rather sit at home and do almost nothing, or live it up with new friends at the most happening on and off campus events? For me, this question has not been difficult to answer. I hope it is the same for you and you decide to sleep in your twin bed and eat cafeteria food on weekends. It will pay off more in the end.