Should You Have A Car In College? The Pros And Cons

PROS

Increased Independence

When you have your own car, you don’t have to rely on your parents or your friends to give you ride. Instead, you are free to move around and go wherever you please without restriction. This can make it easier to manage your time more effectively as well.

More Convenient

Having your own car, in many cases, is simply more convenient. Most importantly, you won’t have to rely on public transport, which can often be crowded and delayed. Public transport fares can also be expensive and it can be hard to find a seat during peak hours. With your own car, you’re also more likely to be on time to college as you are in charge of your own time, rather than being beholden to the bus schedule.

Easy To Travel Anywhere

With a car, you have the freedom to travel anywhere you like.

“If you have a car in college you can plan a road trip with your friends, go for a long weekend away to the city or even go camping for the weekend, all of which can enhance your student experience. It also gives you more freedom and options in terms of getting a part-time job or an internship alongside your studies,” says Lindsay Ward, an educator at Assignment Help and Big Assignments.

Easier To Travel Back Home

Everyone gets a little homesick at times. With your own car, however, you have the option to travel back home at any time. You can visit your parents during the weekend and still make it back to school on Monday on time for class.

CONS

Expensive Parking Fees

It’s common practice for universities and colleges to ask students to pay for a parking permit in order to park on campus. These prices can vary widely between colleges, but can be very expensive, with some charging over $800 per year.

Difficulty Finding Parking

Even if you’ve purchased a parking permit, you might still find that you have difficulty parking on campus. The parking lots may be full and there are often rules about parking on side roads. In some cases, freshman may be limited in where they can park too. In the end, you might end up having to park quite far away and still face a lengthy walk to class.

Become A Chauffeur For Other Students

Owning your own car will make you one of the most popular people on campus. However, that can mean that you are constantly being asked to give other students a ride, which can quickly become tiresome. It can become even more trying if your friends don’t bother to repay you for your parking expenses or gas.

Additional Costs

Having your own car comes with a whole host of other additional costs.

“You’ll need to insure your car. Although there are ways to help keep your insurance premiums low, these can still be an expensive cost. You’ll also need to fill up your car with gas. You’ll need to carefully budget for this, especially if you’re driving around a lot or taking long trips,” says Timothy West, a writer at Essay Writing Services and Academized.

If you’ve bought your car on finance, then you need to factor in the cost of your monthly repayments into your budget as well. Alternatively, you might consider buying a used car to lower your monthly expenditure. You’ll also need to set aside some money for maintenance, as well as any unexpected repairs. The drawback is that these additional costs can quickly add up.

Conclusion

Having your own car in college offers you a more convenient way to get around, provides you with greater freedom to travel wherever you want and to become more independent. On the other hand, it can be very expensive and parking can be a problem. Before making a final decision, take some time to research your options and consider what will be most beneficial to you and your experience in the long run.