Private Room vs Shared Room: Which One Should Students Choose?

Moving to college and starting with a hostel life? It sounds exciting until you start thinking about where you are actually going to live. A PG, hostel, or flat. It becomes an important part of daily college life. And the  question usually comes up as should you choose a private room or share it with someone? But you are still confused between Private Room vs Shared Room. Which one really comes down to your budget, personality, routine, and what you expect from your student life. Both options have their own advantages,so let’s make it easy.

Private Room: Your Own Personal Space

A private room gives you something every student wants : personal space.You will be able to study without any disturbance from a person who is using the phone, sleep according to your own schedule and keep your stuff as per your own choice. If you like having personal time after college classes or prefer solitude, a private room will be quite comfortable for you.

The other benefit is easy studying because there will be fewer distractions around and you do not have to think about what your roommate is doing. The disadvantage is the cost factor because the private rooms are always more expensive than the shared rooms and it might create a financial burden considering all the college costs, food and traveling costs involved.

The other drawback would be lack of some social interactions as you are living all by yourself.

Shared room: More Social, More Cost-Effective

The fact that it’s generally cheaper to have a shared room is one of the key factors that influences many students’ decision when they need to choose between living options.

However, besides money, there is a much bigger factor. Having a shared room may turn out to be more social for a student.

There will be an opportunity to meet someone from a different course, exchange notes, find a new place to eat at, or simply have a conversation when everything around becomes too hard. Having a roommate in a shared room can help a student who moved to a new city for the first time to get a bit more comfortable.

However, living with someone else always brings its challenges. The roommate may have a totally different schedule. They could wake up in the morning whereas you sleep till midnight. They could want perfect silence whereas you study listening to loud music. That doesn’t mean that a shared room is not an option to consider. It only means that it requires some effort to make things right.

You can also check: Hostel Life vs Home Life : Which Is Better?

Private Room vs Shared Room: What Should You Consider?

Instead of looking for a better choice, think about which option will suit you best.

Your Budget

This may be one of the easiest criteria to evaluate.

Having a shared room allows saving money each month. The cost of a shared room will be lower than that of a private one. In case there is some additional space in your budget and privacy is important to you, spending extra money on a private room will be justified.

Your Personality

Do you enjoy being surrounded by people all the time or, on the contrary, you need some privacy to relax? If you are a sociable person and enjoy meeting people and sharing living space, a shared room would be suitable for you. A private room would fit in case you prefer working, relaxing and sleeping alone. There is no right or wrong personality type. The student life itself can be complicated, and your living arrangement should be as convenient as possible.

Your Study Style

Think about how you actually study and not how you would like to study.

If you need silence for concentration, a private room would be a good solution. In the case of a shared room, you would need to find common terms for studying and sleeping with your roommate. At the same time, a roommate can be helpful for you academically. You can motivate each other to do homework, share some ideas and not spend time browsing the Internet.

Your Schedule

It is more significant than you may think at first.

In case you have morning classes, a part-time job or come back home late after the activities at college, your roommate’s schedule can influence you. At the same time, your schedule can be influenced by him or her. It is advisable to discuss the basic issues before choosing a shared room: sleeping schedule, study schedule, visiting guests, cleaning and noise levels.

So, Which Option Is Better for You?

This will depend on your priorities.

Go for the private room when you:

1. Enjoy silence and personal space
2. Do not want distractions while working on studies
3. Have flexible accommodation budget
4. Like sticking to your own schedule

Choose a shared room when you:

1. Wish to save money on accommodation
2. Like spending time with others
3. Are okay with the schedule change due to another person
4. Want to expand your social network

But there is a way out between two extremes. There are accommodations that provide common facilities and yet vary the arrangement of rooms so that you do not have to see your choice as either “alone” or “with someone”.

Not Only Room Selection But Also Lifestyle Selection

When comparing Private Room vs Shared Room, keep in mind that you select not only where you are going to sleep but also the part of your daily college experience. A private room can provide you with independence and solitude. A sharing room can provide you with company and assistance in saving money. The right choice is the one that corresponds with your budget, habits and preferences.

But before making any decision check such things as room dimensions, amenities, rules of house, location, safety measures and things that are included into rental cost. If you decide to go for a sharing option then ask about preferences of your potential roommate if such a program is available in your accommodation facility.

There are many decisions to make during college years. The room should not become yet another source of stress. Spend some time to figure out what you need and pick up the place where you will be comfortable, focused and at home.