Living at home...

[kurite]

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Hello,
So the school I currently am considering is in Chicago. I live 30 minutes out of chicago and the school I am interested in regularly has 7am exams and 8am classes so I would have to be out everyday by 6:30. I know I can handle that but I am not sure how big of a deal an hour of travel is every day. I would be living at home so meals and laundry would probably be done for me. Is this a bad idea? Is an hour everyday going to kill me? Plus I would be away from school if I ever needed anything. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Keladry]

Not going to kill you, I know lots and lots of people who commute 30-60 minutes each way every day. Having meals & laundry is awesome for sure, and it's really not that far. It's up to you, but there are definitely plenty of people who do that. If you're on a train or bus, you can study; if you're driving, you can always listen to lectures in the car. Or just talk a half-hour break at each end of your day - really not that big a deal.

 

[kevinsword91]

I know medical students who had similar commutes and lived at home. It worked for them. It really depends on you as an individual. Paying for an apartment is a considerable cost over four years and if you can get by living at home just fine I would go that route.

 

[kurite]

Unfortunately most lectures arent recorded and my first commute would be at 6:30am so realistically it wouldnt be much of a break haha. But you really dont think it will impede any thing? Unfortunately I would have to drive.

 

[MrLogan13]

A thirty minute commute is nothing. And if your exams are at 7, you need to be out the door well before 6:30 to take into account traffic, parking, and walking to your test location.

 

[LizzyM]

Do try the commute on weekdays at the time of day you would be traveling. I remember a friend who found that his commute in Baltimore was double what he had anticipated due to early a.m. traffic. Also consider that weather including rain, sleet, hail, snow and fog can cause delays and unanticipated delays can occur due to motor vehicle crashes and police/fire department activity. Also have a back-up plan for days when you are unable to drive due to car repairs, etc.

 

[caffeinemia]

Hmm. Based on your information about exams, I can almost guess what school you're considering. If I'm right, it's a great school and you won't be disappointed. Living outside Chicago will only limit one thing for you: rowdy nights out with friends during post-test parties. Otherwise, it's very manageable. Then again, you're only in med school once and only young once. It would be kind of sad to miss the chance to live in Wicker Park or Lincoln Park or Streeterville or West Loop !