Many students are thrilled to the core at the thought of finally owning a car. And is it any surprise? You are approaching your greatest degree of independence. However, your beloved wheels might end up taking the joy out of your life instead of giving you freedom. Below I shall try to analyse the positives and negatives of having a car while still studying. To free up time for car maintenance, consider using the help of Do My Papers academic writers, which help students with academic papers, ensuring you have more time to enjoy your independence.
1. Freedom and flexibility
The main benefit of owning a car for a student is independence. Here is what you can enjoy:
- Easy access to off-campus jobs and internships
- Quick trips home on weekends or holidays
- Spontaneous road trips with friends
- No need to rely on public transport schedules
- Ability to live further from campus where rent might be cheaper
Although nothing beats walking from one end of campus to the other, having a car would give you control over your schedule and allow you to be more independent off-campus.
2. Time management benefits
Cars can be a time-saving tool for students. Imagine that you work part-time and have a job across town that would take you 45 minutes by bus but only 15 minutes by car. That’s an hour back and forth a day you could use to study or just relax. The saved time adds up over the course of the semester, which could help your grades and relieve some of the stress from your daily life. Additionally, with the extra time saved by driving, you can use resources like the best essay writing services reviews to find reliable academic assistance, further easing your workload and maximising your efficiency.
3. Potential for extra income
Having a car can open doors to make some extra cash. Here’s how:
Ride-sharing
Or you could sign up to work in one of those faux-taxi services such as Uber or Lyft, whenever you had the time.
Delivery services
Food delivery apps (such as Deliveroo or Uber Eats) are always looking for workers – drivers who deliver food part time. This is a good opportunity to make some money when there is a break between jobs or classes.
Campus courier
You could be the kid in your town or your peer group whom everyone calls on for all those errands and carpools to which car-less classmates want to go, but could not otherwise. You make a little money for yourself on the side.
4. Cost comparison: Car vs. Public transport
Have a look at the table that follows, comparing the expenses of owning a car to the cost of using public transport for a standard student.
| Expense Type | Car Ownership (Monthly) | Public Transport (Monthly) |
| Initial Cost | $200 (car payment) | $0 |
| Fuel/Fare | $150 | $60 (monthly pass) |
| Insurance | $100 | $0 |
| Maintenance | $50 | $0 |
| Parking | $50 | $0 |
| Total | $550 | $60 |
As is clearly seen, it costs greatly and takes time to own a car. I believe that the convenience in time and curtains are more than the amount of money they cost.
A car is a long-run payment that has to be repaired as soon as it shows any signs of a problem. Besides, insurance has to be paid.
Moreover, working experience is useful for young people. It supposes them to become more independent. However, it is sometimes seen as disorganised as students may not be early which is not acceptable.
It is undoubtedly seen that the ownership of a car is more convenient as travelling is quicker. People can count on the public transport during travels which makes it stress-free for travellers. However, the shortage of public transport is inconvenient in the long run.
In conclusion, travelling is easier and faster with the ownership of a car. It seems impractical for teenagers that own a car as they may not drive since the road traffic affects them and sometimes they may not be early.
5. Environmental impact
Owning a car comes with environmental responsibilities. Here are some points to consider:
Carbon footprint
Cars emit greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. As a student, you may feel conflicted about this impact.
Alternative options
Given that there are often bike-sharing schemes on campuses and that most campuses are well-connected to public transport links, students would be making a more environmentally-friendly choice by choosing either of these options over a car.
Carpooling
In case you have a car, you should share your car with your class-fellows and travel your work by using the car only if it is necessary.
6. Responsibility and life skills
Car ownership teaches valuable life skills. Here’s a practical example:
Scenario: Your car won’t start on the morning of an important exam.
You’ll need to troubleshoot quickly – Is it the battery? Out of gas?
Hopefully, it’s something you can call a tow truck about, if not diagnose with your own rudimentary automotive knowledge.
Either you have to juggle it all and hope you make it (and maybe explain to your professor that you are late), or you’ll have to handle your embarrassment on your own.
It’s stressful, to be sure, but also an opportunity to learn some valuable skills such as problem-solving, time management and communication (all of which are useful in the grown-up world).
7. Parking and campus restrictions
Many campuses have limited parking, which can cause headaches for student car owners:
- Parking Permits: These can be expensive and don’t guarantee a spot.
- Time Restrictions: Some campuses limit when students can park on campus.
- Off-campus Parking: Because of parking constraints, you might have to park so far from your classes that you actually save no time walking, the one benefit of having your own car.
Conclusion
As a student, one of the things I should consider is to have my own car. Here I have three advantages: I would enjoy the freedom to go anywhere and anytime. I could use my car for making extra money. I could go shopping freely.
However, I also think that it would cause extra cost for me and it’s a big responsibility.But most of all, the main reason why not to buy a new car, is the environmental issue. We cannot destroy our nature for our selfishness.I believe that I don’t need a car as a student. I’m getting old. When I have my own place, I’m gonna buy the car.Then, I want you to read my essay about why owning a car as a student is wrong.
Before deciding to bring a car to campus, consider your specific situation:
- How far is your commute?
- What’s public transport like in your area?
- Can you afford the ongoing costs?
- Does your campus have adequate parking?
- How important is the environmental impact to you?
You need to weigh these considerations. For some students, a car is an important need, and a vehicle can really enhance their college experience. For others, it is an unnecessary expense and hassle. Regardless, you need to consider this decision when making your budget, design and enjoying your life on campus.
