A car means freedom. Simple enough, right?
If you’re a college student and you have your own car, you probably want to take it to school with you. A car will let you get around campus faster, and even the surrounding town or city. You might make new friends in a carpool. And from your parent’s perspective, no one has to drive all the way from home to pick you up again. Yes, having a car might seem like a good idea now. However, I suggest weighing your options before bringing your vehicle to college.
Take, for example, the cost of your car. If you think you’re broke now, imagine how broke you’ll be when you’re filling your tank up every week. Especially if you have friends that are constantly asking for rides without offering any gas money- that gets old quick! And don’t forget about those expensive oil changes and inevitable repairs. Even minor cosmetic damage can run in the thousands to repair.
Furthermore, being forced to walk around campus is an important part of being a student. You’ll inevitably miss the beauty and atmosphere of your school if you’re zooming by with the radio blaring. Think of all the new people you might meet while leaving your dorm or walking to class. The best part about walking? You don’t have to drive in circles looking for a parking space.
Additionally, you might be tempted to take that car back home to visit your friends and/or parents. This is probably the biggest pitfall of bringing your car to school, especially if you’re within an hour or two of home. Living away from home is a difficult transition for many young people, and the transition can’t happen if you’re constantly driving home on the weekends. Even if you’re homesick, it’s important to tough it out. Otherwise, you’ll never become acclimated to college life.
I’m not saying that bringing a car to school is necessarily a bad thing. On the contrary, I think that having a car can be a different experience for everyone. If your pros outweigh your cons, then by all means, bring your vehicle. Just be sure to weigh your options and if you think bringing your car to college could have a negative effect on your experience then don’t be afraid to leave it at home.