Does a student need a car?
The typical student stereotype is an individual who is both financially poor and fiscally irresponsible. While such assumptions are more than a little unfair, it is an unavoidable truth that, while at university, many find money to be at a premium and not always available.
Given these circumstances, and the cost of running and maintaining a car, is it wise to own one during your studies? Well, possibly not, but looking at many new car offers there is some very good value for money available.
The first point to consider is simply whether or not you will even be allowed a car. A number of universities actively advise against bringing a car, particularly during your first year, while some even forbid it altogether.
Secondly, think about whether having your own vehicle on hand is necessary. Again, during your first year that is likely to be spent in halls of residence, everything you need to see or get to is likely to be within comfortable walking distance. Any car is likely to sit idle for prolonged periods of time and eventually become an expensive hassle. It's not just petrol; there is tax, insurance, MOT, service and repair bills to take into account as well. Also, it's probable that not many other students will have cars; do you really want to become the taxi guy or girl?
Safety is also a serious issue. Though many universities provide car parks, your vehicle will be at the mercy of scores of drunken students either heading out or returning home. Furthermore, students are a frequent target for thieves.
On the other hand, having your own car can significantly add to the great adventure that going to university already is. Weekend or day trips can be undertaken on a whim rather than having to be meticulously planned around often unreliable and, in the case of trains, absurdly expensive, public transport. Everyone chips in for petrol and the world, or at least this part of it, is your oyster.
A car can also be useful in the later years of study when you are likely to be living away from the main university buildings. To this end, a hybrid car could well be the most suitable as they offer a vastly superior miles per gallon ratio to the fuel equivalent and are also far more environmentally-friendly. A hybrid switches completely to electrical mode when idle, thus negating any toxic emissions, and is therefore perfect for the short journeys around town you are likely to be making.
Essentially, whether or not you take a car to university boils down to both personal choice and circumstance. It can be extremely useful and makes visiting home far easier as well as more basic tasks such as the ‘big shop’. One thing is for sure, if you do take a car, an efficient, reliable vehicle is a must.
