Why people say that university students who live alone "can't have fun"

While living alone as a university student offers freedom, many feel that they don't have much time to have fun. This is largely due to financial burdens, time constraints, and household and living responsibilities. While the amount of money students receive from their parents and the amount of part-time work they do will affect how comfortable their lives are, many students find it difficult to secure the time and funds to have fun as they had hoped, which can lead to stress.

Below we will explain the specific reasons why you will no longer be able to play.

I don't have enough money to play

The biggest problem college students face when living alone is a lack of money.

In addition to living expenses such as rent, utilities, food, and communication costs, there are also heavy costs such as tuition and textbook fees. Without money from home, students have to cover all of these expenses with their part-time job earnings, leaving little room for leisure.

For example, if a student earns around 100,000 yen a month, more than half of that goes to rent, and the rest goes to daily necessities. As a result, they have very little money left to spend on dining out with friends, traveling, or hobbies. Not being able to have fun isn't just a "mood"; it's a harsh economic reality.

I don't have time because I have to balance part-time work and studies

A major reason why people have difficulty finding time to play is balancing part-time work and studies. If you work part-time 4-5 days a week to earn a living, it becomes difficult to balance it with classes and assignments, making it difficult to find time to play.

Especially before exams and when reports are due, many students cut down on their sleep to study and work part-time jobs, and before they know it, their days can end with just work and school. Even when invited to hang out, they have no choice but to decline due to lack of time, which can lead to weakened friendships.

The reason why college students who live alone say they "can't have fun" is not only due to financial reasons, but also to a lack of time.

The burden of housework and daily life reduces free time

When you start living alone, you have to take responsibility for all household chores and daily life management.

When students live at home, their parents often take on daily chores such as laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping, and taking out the trash, and many students are surprised at how much of a burden this is. If they continue to cook their own meals, it can take 1-2 hours from shopping to cooking and cleaning up, meaning they have less time to go out and have fun.

Also, doing housework after coming home tired can leave you feeling physically exhausted. Because there are so many things that you "have to do" before you can play, you end up being swamped with housework before you know it, and your free time is gradually being cut down.

lose mental composure

Living alone as a university student not only brings with it financial and time constraints, but also a major mental burden. Living in an unfamiliar environment, juggling housework, studying, and a part-time job can easily leave you feeling physically and mentally exhausted, and you may not feel like having fun.

In addition, because they do not have family to rely on when they become unwell or have worries, they tend to feel more anxious and lonely.

As a result, they prioritize resting at home over going out and having fun, which further reduces their opportunities to play. In order to maintain a mental space, it is essential to establish a regular rhythm in life and to regularly contact family and friends.

Still, there are benefits to living alone as a university student

While the downside of living alone is that you can't have fun, there are also many benefits for university students. Experiences that you can't get if you live at home, such as improved efficiency due to shorter commute times, growing independence through housework, and expanding your circle of friends, await you.

Here are some of the major benefits of living alone.

Reduces commute time

One of the main reasons why university students choose to live alone is to reduce their commute time.

If you commute to a university in the city from a rural area or suburb, it's not uncommon for it to take more than an hour each way if you live with your parents. However, if you live alone near the university, you can often reduce your commute to under 30 minutes, freeing up your time for studying, part-time work, or hobbies. Reducing the stress of commuting also increases your ability to concentrate in class, which is a major benefit, as it gives you more time to relax in your life overall.

Additionally, since students can participate in club activities and socialize with friends without worrying about catching the last train, the reduced commute time is a major benefit for those who want to make the most of their student life.

Gaining independence and life skills

Living alone is a great opportunity to develop independence and life skills. You will have to do all the housework, money management, and schedule adjustments yourself, which will naturally hone your "self-management skills." By fulfilling the roles that your parents used to play when you lived at home, you can take your first step towards becoming an independent adult.

In addition, by managing food and utility costs, students will develop a sense of frugality and acquire practical life skills that will be useful when they enter the workforce. Furthermore, they will develop the ability to solve problems on their own, which will be a valuable skill in job hunting and in society.

When considering your future career and life plans, the experience you gain from living alone will be a great asset.

It's easy to invite friends and expand your circle of friends

Another great benefit of living alone is that it's easy to invite friends over to your home.

Living at home can make it difficult to invite friends over due to consideration for other family members, but having your own space makes it easier to get together. Being able to create opportunities to deepen relationships at home, such as holding study sessions with friends or cooking meals together, is a privilege that only living alone can offer.

In addition, expanding your circle of friends will increase your opportunities to come into contact with new information and values, making your university life more fulfilling. In urban areas in particular, there is a well-established culture of inviting club members or friends from the same department to socialize, which can be a major attraction for students who want to broaden their personal relationships.

How to resolve a situation where you can't play

When university students live alone, they often feel like they can't have fun because they lack the money, time, and mental space to do so. However, with some ingenuity, it's possible to improve this situation. By managing your household finances in an ingenious way, taking advantage of systems, and adopting low-cost hobbies, you can make a big difference in how fulfilling your student life is.

Here we will introduce specific ways to solve the problem of not being able to play.

Keep rent to no more than a quarter of your income

Rent is the biggest fixed expense for a university student living alone, and keeping this amount down is key to having "room to play." The ideal guideline is to keep it within one-fourth of your income (from part-time work or money sent home).

For example, if you earn 100,000 yen a month, it's realistic to keep your rent at around 25,000 to 30,000 yen. While this may be difficult in urban areas, you can keep costs down by choosing an older property, a studio apartment, or a shared house for students. Reducing your rent means you'll have more money to spend on food and entertainment, which ultimately means you'll have more money to spend on fun.

Make good use of scholarships and systems

If the reason you can't play is due to financial burden, taking advantage of scholarships and various systems can be a great help.

There are surprisingly many options to cover living expenses and tuition fees, including scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and support systems from local governments and universities. Furthermore, by taking advantage of the special student payment system, you can defer national pension payments, which can help reduce monthly expenses.

By taking advantage of these systems, you can avoid being immersed in part-time work and secure time for study or leisure. Some people may think of using these systems as "taking on debt," but they are an effective option for future career development.

Find inexpensive hobbies and pastimes

For university students living alone, it is important to find ways to have fun while keeping social and entertainment costs down. For example, walking, cycling, reading at the library, and attending free events and exhibitions are some examples of ways to have fun without spending a lot of money.

We also recommend hobbies you can do at home, such as video streaming services, online games, cooking, and photography. By finding these kinds of "low-cost fun activities," you can spend your time fulfillingly even if you are financially constrained.

Playing can also help relieve stress, so a major benefit is that it can help you create peace of mind without spending any money.

Make time with schedule management

One of the main reasons why people can't play is because they don't have enough time.

When you're a university student living alone, you tend to waste time being busy with classes, part-time jobs, and housework, but by being creative with your schedule, you can create time for fun.

For example, simply making small changes like scheduling your part-time shifts to coincide with your classes, doing all your housework at once, and reviewing how much time you spend on your smartphone can have a big effect. Furthermore, using a planner or app to manage your daily activities can help you reduce wasted time and free up time to spend with friends or on your hobbies.

Time management is a skill that will be useful even after you enter the workforce, so it's a good idea to learn it while you're a student.

Check in with family and friends regularly to refresh your mind

If you're feeling mentally drained and lack the energy to go out and have fun, it's important to find ways to alleviate loneliness. Living alone, especially away from your parents' home, can make you feel increasingly lonely and anxious. For this reason, regularly contacting family and friends by phone or online conversations can help you change your mood and feel more secure. Even if you can't meet in person, just talking can help relieve stress and give you a positive feeling of "let's try again."

Casual interactions via LINE or social media are also effective. Maintaining your mental health is the foundation for regaining the freedom to have fun. The key to getting through life alone as a university student is to find ways to avoid isolation.

Tips for university students to have fun without money from their parents

For university students who don't receive financial support from their parents, it's not easy to manage living expenses while also finding room for fun. However, with some ingenuity, it's possible to reduce financial worries and secure time and funds for fun. By combining high-paying part-time jobs and side jobs, ways to reduce food and transportation costs, and even flea market apps and point systems, you can enjoy student life even without receiving financial support from your parents.

Here we will explain some ideas for college students to have fun even without receiving money from their parents.

Take up a high-paying part-time job or side job

For university students who don't receive money from their parents, it's important to find a part-time job or side job that pays a high hourly wage in order to earn an income efficiently. Jobs such as private tutoring, cram school teaching, event staff, and late-night restaurant work all pay relatively high hourly wages, and even short shifts can bring in a substantial income.

Additionally, online side jobs such as web writing, design, and video editing have become popular in recent years. Because you can work from home, it's easy to tackle these jobs between school and housework, and the appeal is the flexibility of earning an income. If you choose an efficient way to earn money, you can reduce the burden of living expenses and secure funds for fun.

Choose a job that provides meals and transportation expenses

If you want to secure an income while keeping your living expenses low, it is effective to choose a part-time job that includes meals and transportation expenses. Meals provided at restaurants can significantly reduce food costs, and are particularly beneficial for students who work lunch and dinner.

Additionally, if your workplace provides transportation expenses, you can reduce your commuting costs and increase your effective take-home pay. Some jobs also provide uniforms and allow you to take advantage of employee discounts, which can help you cut down on your overall living expenses. By choosing a part-time job with these good conditions, you can reduce your minimum spending and use the extra money for entertainment and hobbies.

Save money with flea market apps and point systems

For university students who don't receive financial support from their parents, it's essential to find ways to not only increase income but also reduce expenses. A prime example of this is the use of flea market apps and point systems. Selling unused clothes, textbooks, and household goods on a flea market app can lead to extra income and funds for new purchases.

Also, by making good use of points earned through credit cards and cashless payments, you can naturally save money on everyday purchases. Furthermore, by taking advantage of student discount services and local coupons, you can also reduce your entertainment expenses. These small savings add up to a big difference, allowing you to have more money to have fun even with a limited income.

Frequently asked questions about university students living alone and not being able to have fun

Many university students worry about not being able to have fun when it comes to living alone. In reality, the amount of money they can afford varies greatly depending on whether they receive money from their parents, their part-time job status, and the area they live in.

Here, we will pick out some of the questions that students and their families who are considering living alone are particularly concerned about, and explain in an easy-to-understand manner the reasons why they feel they can't have fun and the reality of the situation.

Is it really impossible to play if you live alone?

In conclusion, it would be more accurate to say that they have "limited time to play" rather than "can't play." College students living alone have to cover living expenses such as rent, utilities, and food, so they spend a lot of time working part-time jobs to earn money. This means that they have less money and time to spend on play. However, with some ingenuity, it is entirely possible to make time to play.

For example, if you can keep your rent low, take advantage of scholarships, or find a hobby that you can enjoy at low cost, you can still find time to spend with friends even when you're struggling financially. Even if you live alone, you won't be completely without fun if you plan your life accordingly.

Is the situation the same for female students?

The reasons why female students living alone can't have fun are basically the same as those for male students. Especially if they don't receive money from their parents, they tend to be busy with part-time jobs and housework, leaving them with little time or money to spare.

However, due to the unique circumstances of female students, there are cases where they face restrictions such as being "unable to go out and have fun late at night" due to a high level of security awareness. As a result, they tend to focus their outings mainly on the daytime and spend more time with friends at home. However, with some ingenuity, female students can still enjoy their university life to the fullest.

The key is to choose a low-cost, safe way to play while taking safety into consideration.

Is it even harder in urban areas like Tokyo?

Living alone in urban areas such as Tokyo and Osaka means higher rent and higher living costs than in rural areas, meaning less time for fun. Students, in particular, often have difficulty managing their living expenses, often resorting to part-time work.

On the other hand, urban areas have an abundance of free or low-cost spots where transportation costs can be kept down. By taking advantage of parks, art museums, movie theaters with student discounts, and events, there are surprisingly many options for fun without spending a lot of money. Urban areas are characterized by the fact that "expenses are high, but the range of activities is wide," and if you choose carefully, it is entirely possible to enrich your life.

Do many people regret living alone?

Among university students who try living alone for the first time, there are a certain number who find it "more difficult than they imagined." The main reasons are the heavy financial burden and the lack of time they have to juggle housework, studies, and part-time work. This leads to regrets such as "not having enough time to have fun" and "being tired all the time."

However, many people also see the positive aspects of moving, saying things like, "I've gained a sense of independence," "I've gotten closer to my friends," and "I'm ready to enter the workforce." Whether or not you end up regretting it depends on the area you live in, how much rent you charge, and how you plan your lifestyle.

If you plan your life carefully and choose an environment that is not too demanding, you will likely learn and grow more than you regret.

summary

Many university students feel that they can't have fun living alone. This is due to the burden of daily living expenses, housework, and balancing part-time work and studies, which can sometimes make them lose their mental space.

On the other hand, there are also many benefits to living at university, such as shortening your commute time, developing independence and life skills, and having a room where you can invite friends over, all of which lead to a fulfilling university life. If you avoid high-rent properties when looking for an apartment, take advantage of scholarships and programs, and take on a high-paying part-time job or side job, it is entirely possible to create time for fun.

Whether you receive money from home, live in a different area, or have a different living environment may vary, but living alone is an invaluable opportunity for growth. Plan ahead and prepare to live a life that you can enjoy every day. If you are actually considering living alone, please use this as a reference.