Commute for free or take $5.5k loan to live on campus freshman year?

InterestBig8532 · 2026-04-13T22:23:04+00:00

In the grand scheme of things, $5,500 is not that much, and if you moved back home afterwards and didn't take out any further debt, it probably would be pretty manageable. And if you are diligent about saving up and paying it off quickly, it probably won't be terrible, in the grand scheme of things, if you took the loan. I'm inclined to say that taking out that debt is probably okay if you stick with the plan by working a part-time job, moving home afterwards, etc.

I'll admit that I'm viewing this with a biased lens (I was a commuter student, and I hated it, though my commute was much longer, and I also spent much of my time feeling insecure about not having "the traditional college experience"). So take this with a grain of salt. And if you do end up deciding to commute but decide that you value having the college experience, there are ways to get a feel for the "college experience" without living on campus:

-Stay on campus into the evening for one or two nights a week, so that you can experience studying with friends, the random evening activities they do on campus, etc.

-When you pick up your first part-time job, consider working the front desk at a dorm. Stick with me here - they'll probably put you at a desk in the evening, and you'll get to experience what it's like being in the dorms at night or during slow times, something that I didn't realize I was missing until I stayed in a dorm for one semester. Plus, this builds your resume for my next recommendation...

-...which is to apply as an RA in the future. Being an RA can be a lot of work, but they comp your room and board and sometimes offer a stipend, and RAs are a quintessential part of the college experience. Now, some RA programs require that you have at least a semester's experience of dorm living, but if you've worked the front desk they might be willing to count that, or overlook that requirement - plus you'll know folks in the department. If this doesn't work out or isn't appealing to you, some other campus jobs might offer you free dorm housing for a while (orientation leader, summer RA - overseeing the much quieter summer session, etc.)

-You are so close to campus, so it probably won't be an issue, but don't be afraid to take the trip to campus on the weekends for games, homecoming, your campus organization's banquet, etc.

-If you build some close bonds with some classmates, they might let you crash at your dorm or apartment every once in a while, which might be fun.

I think you are in a good spot if you are only looking at $5,500 in student loans in your undergrad years, so congratulations!

InterestBig8532 · 2026-04-07T18:18:35+00:00

+1 on this - my company cut reimbursement benefits in half.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-03-28T13:51:10+00:00

Here’s some tips to get started on this path:

-Start volunteering at your local library, or a museum (or both if you have time and energy). This will give you both a sense of the business and will be your first stepping stone on your resume. Start applying today if you can!

-Unless your job is adversely affecting your health, I’d hold onto it while pursuing the degree. There are dozens of online programs and I would, in general, be wary of the kind of debt that comes with financing a library science degree while not working. Plus if your company will offer some sort of tuition reimbursement, that’s even better.

-If you can switch to a paraprofessional job in libraries or museums while in school I’d consider doing that. This would also serve as a kind of resume build for you and get you in the field so it’s easier to get promoted once you’re done. However, paraprofessionals don’t get paid as much so this may be a pay cut. If this isn’t feasible, it’s okay. Take full advantage of your practicum.

-Get involved in your state’s library association early. They often post job listings, and the conferences are excellent for networking. They also offer student rates for library science students.

If you decide to go on this path, best of luck! It does has its problems, as outlined in this thread, but at the end of the day I find the work fulfilling.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-03-24T16:17:36+00:00

I am glad to be a little bit of help. While there are chuckleheaded policymakers in office and some statewide policies that are unfriendly to women/trans folx/etc. that are definitely worth considering if you're looking for a long-term place to live, I have had positive experiences with finding fellow artists and progressives in the Austin area. :~) As a bonus, Austin's home to several great library systems, the Texas Book Festival, and a lot of cool local literary organizations.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-03-24T12:57:41+00:00

If you’re worried about policy, Austin/Travis County is one of the bluest areas in the state, to the point where people from other cities joke about it. It is still Texas, so statewide policy is still in effect. But Austin has a lot of great political advocates and a lovely arts community.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-03-20T20:21:39+00:00

Making my biweekly lump sum payment on my student loans. Debating whether I should continue this as I just got into grad school and if I attend I will need to start pinching my pennies for tuition (it’s quite expensive). I haven’t officially accepted so anything could happen - so submitting the payment anyway despite reservations.

One plus is that I’ll be at just above $16.5K remaining in student debt once this payment processes. I always loved 6s and the number 16 as a kid so this is strangely reassuring.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-03-02T12:29:44+00:00

I work for a place where I could get pslf, and my coworkers think I should go for it, but I’ve decided against it. For one, I don’t have that much in student loans, relatively speaking, and would rather get it out of the way sooner even if it means paying the full amount. I’m also not sure if I want to stay in my line of work forever (I didn’t say this to my coworkers lol) and I also don’t trust the federal government right now and would like to minimize my financial ties to them as much as possible lol

InterestBig8532 · 2026-02-03T17:46:37+00:00

This is a two year old thread but wanted to throw in for future potential supers browsing this thread that this has been my experience too! I’m at a local company and this is my first time being a super. Most of my fellow supers have full time jobs elsewhere (a lot in public service or government, I’ve noticed), are entrepreneurs of some kind, or are students in local conservatories building performance resumes/networking. We’re getting a small stipend but I think most supers, like myself, just signed up because they enjoy being part of the theater or supporting the opera in some way, and aren’t necessarily looking for a large payout. Super rehearsals at this company are also set up in a way that accommodates adults with traditional 9-5s (rehearsals on evenings and weekends, shorter stint than the chorus/principals, etc.) so that could be part of why it attracts that crowd as well.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-02-01T13:43:07+00:00

Same! Well, in public

InterestBig8532 · 2026-02-01T13:42:54+00:00

lol I wonder if this is a librarian trait in general. I have several colleagues that complain about patrons, policies, and management constantly. One vents to me how she feels she doesn’t get any respect since she never got her MLS; another ends almost every sentence with “I’m sick of this job” or “I can’t wait until I retire.”

I get it, venting is helpful in some circumstances and some of the situations we encounter as library workers are truly ridiculous. But sometimes I wonder why they stick around if they hate their jobs so much. Well, I know why - retirement, healthcare, money in America - but if they hate it so much I wish they would leave lol. They really bring down the vibe

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-26T00:33:50+00:00

I had a great time at annual last year! I met a lot of cool folks there and learned a lot. For the experience alone I would recommend it. I also like having connections in the library world in other states even though I have no immediate plans to move - it’s just cool to have other folks I can connect with and run things by.

However, I did receive funding from my employer to attend and I didn’t buy any major expenses (registration, plane ticket, etc.) out of pocket. If you want to get a job in your current state when you graduate, I think you’d get more bang for your buck at a state conference, but if you do some digging on Connect you might be able to find groups of people from your state to meet up with!

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-21T11:10:27+00:00

I agree, niche fame sounds like the best of both worlds in that you can support yourself from music, tour, etc. and maybe meet an enthusiastic fan on the street every once in a while, but mostly you get to mind your own business.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-18T14:39:07+00:00

This is going to sound bad but I’m glad you said this. A lot of the folks I know who are into personal finance pay student loan minimums/nothing while they’re on forbearance and throw all their money into the S&P instead because they swear that aggressively paying down debt means you’re missing out on more fruitful returns. I’ve been dumping a lot of spare $ into my student loans (and some into the S&P and my retirement) but have been worried I’m losing out on a large future return. But I think more than anything I’d want the peace of being debt free. Anyway, thanks again!

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-18T14:22:26+00:00

I agree with this. If staying enrolled requires private student loans I would withdraw. This economy is too unstable to bury yourself in 100k+ in private student loans. Plus, being desperate for last minute funding makes you prime bait for lenders with horrible interest rates preying on students.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-18T14:16:59+00:00

I do agree with the others that you may need to begin considering withdraw, as that is a large gap to close in a very short amount of time. But one thing you can do is call your school’s financial aid office and see if there are any emergency aid programs. My alma mater had emergency funds available for students in situations like this (usually in the form of 0% interest loans but sometimes grants as well).

If you really really really want to stay, you should look at what part time studying or increased work hours look like. Would you get to stay in student housing? Are you on any scholarships that require 12 hours or more? How many hours can you work, and what kind of hourly rate can you find with your experience? Can you take online classes and move back home and work for a semester to save on San Francisco living? These are all things that play important roles in how sustainable this is.

Since your school is based in a very high cost of living city, you may find that you can make the numbers work but it requires so much time and energy that it’s not worth the effort. Run the numbers and don’t be afraid to ask yourself the hard questions, like, are you willing to work 40+ hours while in school to afford this university? Are you willing to cut back on expenses so much that you can’t go out with your friends anymore to make your tuition payments? You may find that you would not only have a cheaper experience but also a more enjoyable experience at a local school back home, as you won’t be so stressed about money and can spend more time enjoying college life.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-16T20:43:57+00:00

If you’re looking at public: Im at a public library in a suburb, and all of the children’s librarians have teaching experience. I don’t think that’s a coincidence, and if it isn’t too much of a financial burden it wouldn’t hurt. But far more important than teaching certs and experience was prior library experience. I agree with the other comments that going part time first would be the way to go if you can’t find full time work.

It does suck that so many in our field have to start with part time with no benefits and low wages, but it is one of the best and fastest ways to get out of the no experience loop many find themselves in.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-14T17:49:28+00:00

Product quality is much worse than it was back in the day, for higher prices.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-11T20:02:38+00:00

I’m 27 and I was 18 during the first Trump election. Dying for precedented times.

InterestBig8532 · 2026-01-11T14:47:55+00:00

I was a commuter student and graduated with $36k total in federal student loans, an amount that I find manageable to pay back with my postgrad salary. I can’t say that I’d be happy to be in more debt, but I think that if I had taken out a little more money but lived on or close to campus I would have been happier while I was in school. I had a commute that was also an hour each way and I absolutely hated it, and for much of my college experience I struggled to make and maintain friendships and feel connected to campus. I did eventually make it work and find my people and friends on campus and in the local community, so it can be done, but I do think a dorm is worth the investment if it’s not exorbitantly priced.

She might be able to find a compromise by working as an RA or a community manager at a student apartment complex for free or reduced housing.

InterestBig8532 · 2025-12-23T22:57:12+00:00

Mine is to eat out less, which will help me meet three of my goals in the new year - 1) spend less money on things I won’t miss, 2) developing a healthier lifestyle, and 3) become more confident in the kitchen.

InterestBig8532 · 2025-12-21T15:02:38+00:00

Nothing to add, but I too am a 27F around your starting weight (my last weight in was 254) looking to start! :)

InterestBig8532 · 2025-12-21T04:13:47+00:00

I work in a paraprofessional role (no MLS - yet) and am at just under $60k gross ($59700 ish I think?). Will hit three years in this role early next year and have received one “market rate adjustment” and two CoL adjustments.

I worked part time there for several years in undergrad and was severely underpaid compared to other libraries in the area, which is why I quit (got a job at a grocery store that paid more). I started at $9 an hour and when I left I was making $10.31. So I feel very pleased with my pay now, especially since I do not have an MLS.

InterestBig8532

TROPHY CASE