top of page

Many university students live with their families, while others live away from home...(Band 9 Essay)

Updated: Jun 27

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.


Write about the following topic:


Many university students live with their families, while others live away from home because their universities are in different places.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both situations?


Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.


You should write at least 250 words.


Task 2 Band 9 Essay Sample (Many university students live with their families, while others live away from home because their universities are in different places.)

Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner


Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score



Sample Essay 1

University students have different options of accommodation nowadays with many of them living with their families while many living with friends in a rental house. Different living situations will bring very different lifestyles to young adults which can be not only beneficial but also disadvantageous. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both situations from a financial perspective.


Living with families is obviously beneficial in releasing financial pressure from the students but it may make them tend to be more dependent on their families. University students who live with families have little expenditure in living because they don’t need to pay rent or buy living necessities themselves even though families might ask them to make a small payment for living sometimes. However, living with families and having little financial pressure may lead to a decreased awareness of the importance of being independent. Students may become overly reliant on their families to support them, and this dependence may be reinforced by the knowledge that their families will always be there to back them up, no matter what problems they may encounter.


On the contrary, living outside of the families may cause more living expenditures but to meet their living needs, the students will learn to be responsible for themselves. Living by themselves may cause a lot of financial issues, such as the shortage of living expenditures due to study loans. Such situations will put grave pressure on the students, causing a series of other problems in both their academic life and mental health. However, dealing with these issues can be a catalyst for their growth. For example, to avoid a shortage of funds for living expenses, the students will try to develop a better financial plan for themselves to stay withing budget.


In conclusion, it is financially beneficial for the students living with their families but disadvantageous for those who live on their own. However, the financial pressure can also be a catalyst for the students’ growth, boosting them to be more independent and responsible.


Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score



Sample Essay 2

While some still live with their families, many university students today commute far from home to attend university. These lifestyles have advantages and disadvantages. While living with their families might help university students stay close to them, some family traditions may make it challenging for the students to get along. Living away from home, as opposed to adding a few more daily costs, can help a student develop independence and valuable self-responsibility.


One of the main benefits for students living with their family is being close to loved ones. Their mental health is improved, which eventually enables them to focus on their studies with the necessary intensity. Another significant benefit of living together is the fantastic possibility to preserve strong family ties since it enables them to communicate and share their activities and everyday lives with parents and siblings. Most university students, however, are unable to utilize their time in a flexible manner. They frequently spend the most of their time at school and return home late at night when family members are typically sound asleep due to the overwhelming amount of tasks and tests. As a result, a potential mismatch with the family rules and the associated stress as a trickle-down effect may arise.


However, by living away from home, students might gain independence as they frequently have to make plans and decisions without parental guidance. One example is helping them maintain their homes tidy by performing domestic chores. Students who live with their parents are less likely to take this seriously than those who live with roommates. However, because they have to rent homes and pay expenses, people who live distant from their parents typically have a greater cost of living than people who live with their parents. In order to pay for their expensive living cost, some students have to work while studying that might make them fall behind their peers.


In conclusion, both ways of living offer advantages and disadvantages. Even if it is more affordable to live with families, a university student may find it difficult to conform to the standard family standards. However, living away from home may result in an additional financial strain, but it also has the amazing benefits of fostering independence and self-reliance.


Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score



Sample Essay 3

University students today have the flexibility to choose between living with their families or renting a house with friends. While each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, this essay will focus on the financial aspects of both living situations.


Living with families provides students with a significant financial advantage as they do not have to worry about paying rent or purchasing living necessities. This financial support allows them to focus on their studies without the added burden of financial pressure. However, this kind of support may also make the students overly dependent on their families, making them less inclined to develop financial independence and self-reliance. They may take for granted the financial assistance they receive and become complacent in their financial planning.


On the other hand, living outside of the family home requires students to be financially independent, as they must pay for their living expenses themselves. This situation can be challenging and may cause financial difficulties. However, it can also provide an excellent opportunity for students to learn financial management skills, budgeting and planning, and self-discipline. By managing their own finances, students can learn to be more independent and responsible, which can be beneficial for their future.


In conclusion, the financial advantages and disadvantages of living with families or living on their own varies greatly for university students. While living with families may be financially beneficial, it may hinder students from developing financial independence. Living outside of the family home can provide students with valuable financial management skills, but it can also pose significant financial challenges.


Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner


Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score

bottom of page