Ok, well it's not actually the dilemma of a lifetime. I'm basically just having a really hard time deciding whether or not I want a roommate next year as a PT1 or if it would be better to live alone. I think there are disadvantages/advantages to both, so I keep going back and forth. I value my alone time but at the same time I don't want to be an outsider with my classmates for the next three years. Has anyone been in this situation or is currently deciding that can chime in?
the dilemma of a lifetime
- Thread starter nicolej5
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2010
- Messages
- 1,328
- Reaction score
- 426
Live alone. I come home after a long day and no one bothers me and I don't bother anyone else. I value my solitude more than anyone. If you can afford to live alone, then live alone.
Don't worry about being an "outsider." I never go out with my classmates on weekends. I work with them, help them, and study with them, but I don't socialize with them too much. Graduate students study hard but play hard too. I don't think anyone considers me an outsider.
Kevin
Don't worry about being an "outsider." I never go out with my classmates on weekends. I work with them, help them, and study with them, but I don't socialize with them too much. Graduate students study hard but play hard too. I don't think anyone considers me an outsider.
Kevin
So glad you posted this question, because I've been going through the same dilemma. I'd rather live alone the first year, because I don't want to jump into a roommate situation that I may later regret. I want to be able to be comfortable in my home after dealing with the stresses of PT school. However, like you I don't want to seem like a outsider to my peers. My family also seems to think it's best that I have roommate, but I think their just being overprotective.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2013
- Messages
- 64
- Reaction score
- 6
In personally believe it would be beneficial to have a roommate who is also a student in the program. Since both of you would have the same heavy workload, you both understand the importance to study. Plus at times it would be nice to have to have someone to be there if you are struggling with a certain concept during your studying.
I don't think having a roommate with a fellow graduate student would be even remotely similar as having roommates during undergrad.
I don't think having a roommate with a fellow graduate student would be even remotely similar as having roommates during undergrad.
I wouldn't worry at all about appearing to be an outsider to your classmates. You'll be spending plenty of time together nearly every day. How did you live as an undergrad and did it suit the type person that you are. If you're the type who needs someone around try to find a roomate who will respect your privacy and vice versa. Be careful....some people are very difficult to live with.
thanks for all the responses so far, keep them coming! Right now it's about 50-50 as far as family and friends saying live alone or have a roommate. The thing I'm afraid of is not being compatible with my roommate and then having to still be classmates the remaining 2 years...awkward lol. Also the cost of living alone would be around 2-300 more per month I'm guessing, maybe more (I'll be in Glendale, AZ so cost of living is pretty cheap). I think I'll talk with a few people that are going to be in the program to see if we would mesh well and then go from there.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2012
- Messages
- 164
- Reaction score
- 2
I think it really depends on your personality and financial situation. Me personally, I've realized that the older I get, I can't live with roommates. I don't want to deal with clashing with other people's personalities. I've had wonderful roommates in the past, but it is hard to find ones that you'll mesh well with. Life is already stressful enough. I want to come home and not have to worry about any roommate issues.
I don't think not living with a roommate will make you an "outsider." You'll be studying and in class with your classmates for most of the day.
If you are okay with living with another person, maybe consider a nursing student or from another health profession who can understand your stress, but you won't see them all the time.
I don't think not living with a roommate will make you an "outsider." You'll be studying and in class with your classmates for most of the day.
If you are okay with living with another person, maybe consider a nursing student or from another health profession who can understand your stress, but you won't see them all the time.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2013
- Messages
- 64
- Reaction score
- 6
Think of it this way, if you room with someone from your program, you already have something in common with that person. Also (assuming the school you attend had an interview process) you will end up living with someone who has excellent communication skills that were displayed to the staff during their interview.
Why not do a trial run this year? Live alone and see how you like it. If it turns out to be too costly or you find yourself missing interaction with other students find a roomie.
I am personally going to do a trial run this summer for my living situation. I live alone about 25 minutes from my campus. I live in Atlanta so 25 minutes could easily turn into 1 hour or more if the traffic gets bad. I am going to see if the commute is doable (factoring in gas, commute time, time away from home because I live alone with a small dog, and accessibility to campus for studying). After summer semester (when my lease is up) I will decide if I should move closer out of convenience and might even consider a roomie. I look at everything in terms of time, cost and money. Don't be fooled cost to you comes in many forms just not in the checkbook arena.
I am personally going to do a trial run this summer for my living situation. I live alone about 25 minutes from my campus. I live in Atlanta so 25 minutes could easily turn into 1 hour or more if the traffic gets bad. I am going to see if the commute is doable (factoring in gas, commute time, time away from home because I live alone with a small dog, and accessibility to campus for studying). After summer semester (when my lease is up) I will decide if I should move closer out of convenience and might even consider a roomie. I look at everything in terms of time, cost and money. Don't be fooled cost to you comes in many forms just not in the checkbook arena.
I do not see any connection between not having a room mate and being an outsider! You will probabaly spend only about 10-15 hours a day in your room, 8 of those hours you will spend in bed or in the bathroom where you do not need a roommate. Then you will need to study instead of socializing. So I would say that it is better to live alone unless you do feel more comfortable when someone is around you or you want to save money on rent.
thanks for everyone's responses. I feel like this decision is more stressful than deciding what schools to apply to! 
I think I am starting to lean towards having a roommate. This will be my first time moving out, so I think I will be sort of lost living alone. Also, I do see the benefits of having a roommate in the same program. If it doesn't work out, then I can always be on my own the remaining years. Whereas if I start out alone, I will never know if I could have had a good roommate situation.
I think I am starting to lean towards having a roommate. This will be my first time moving out, so I think I will be sort of lost living alone. Also, I do see the benefits of having a roommate in the same program. If it doesn't work out, then I can always be on my own the remaining years. Whereas if I start out alone, I will never know if I could have had a good roommate situation.- Joined
- Oct 27, 2011
- Messages
- 206
- Reaction score
- 0
.
Last edited:
I chose to live alone all through PT school. Spending 8+ hrs/day with my classmates, 4 days/week + plus the time I spent hanging out with them after class or during the weekends was more than enough time to me. Being an 'outsider' has more to do with not interacting with them during the times you are together. And if you have a problem with that, physical therapy would seem an odd career to go into.
Is this really that big of a deal?
As long as you're not sharing a single bed room and your room mate is not a douche, then it really seems like a non issue.
I would place more emphasis on what is convenient and affordable and then decide if the other person will be compatible with you.
With that said, if there is no significant difference in price and location relative to school, then always choose to live alone
As long as you're not sharing a single bed room and your room mate is not a douche, then it really seems like a non issue.
I would place more emphasis on what is convenient and affordable and then decide if the other person will be compatible with you.
With that said, if there is no significant difference in price and location relative to school, then always choose to live alone
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2012
- Messages
- 64
- Reaction score
- 2
Nicole, I'm choosing to live alone next year when I start PT school, but under very different circumstances. I'm staying at my undergrad institution, in the same complex, just moving to a 1/1 instead of the 3/2 I'm in now. Because I chose the cheaper school tuition-wise, I can justify spending an extra $100-200 a month because that will never even come close to hitting the extra $30,000 in debt I would have had at the other school. Plus, I just got a puppy who tends to get weird around people she isn't familiar with (and I'm hoping that will change the longer I have her, but I wouldn't want to impose those behaviors on an unsuspecting roommate).
I have some anxieties about living alone, but they're far outweighed by the anxieties I have about living with people I don't know. And for my personality, I think living alone will work out best.
If this is really your first time living on your own as you indicated, it might be useful to live with a roommate for one year at least just to have the experience of compromise when it comes to living with others (God..my student affairs background is showing...). But then again, most people knock that out in their first year of undergrad when things aren't as rigorous academically.
Another pro to living with roommates is that if you're moving to a new area, you won't feel as isolated when it comes time to get to know the city. You'll have someone with you to awkwardly bumble through it with.
I don't know. You could go back and forth all day. It just comes down to what factors are most important to you.
I have some anxieties about living alone, but they're far outweighed by the anxieties I have about living with people I don't know. And for my personality, I think living alone will work out best.
If this is really your first time living on your own as you indicated, it might be useful to live with a roommate for one year at least just to have the experience of compromise when it comes to living with others (God..my student affairs background is showing...). But then again, most people knock that out in their first year of undergrad when things aren't as rigorous academically.
Another pro to living with roommates is that if you're moving to a new area, you won't feel as isolated when it comes time to get to know the city. You'll have someone with you to awkwardly bumble through it with.
I don't know. You could go back and forth all day. It just comes down to what factors are most important to you.
Similar threads
