What I’m about to say might sound crazy and dysfunctional.

Some may cringe, others may laugh. Whatever your reaction, it’s how I feel.

I love paying bills.

As of August 1, 2009, on a monthly basis, I pay rent, water, gas, electric, cable and Internet and credit card bills.

On a weekly basis, I buy groceries and fill up my gas tank.

Had you asked me July 31 what I thought about this, my expression would have been slightly frightened. It was difficult to tell how well I was going to be able to handle all of these.

However, after paying three months worth of bills, I can honestly say it’s one of the best things to ever happen to me.

I have never felt so independent.

Before this year, I was kind of spoiled. I lived on campus, so my room and board was covered by student loans. I relied on my parents a lot. I would go home for weekends and stay there over breaks.

Living on campus was a learning experience that taught me how to get along with people and share space. Living off campus, and only for a couple months, has taught me more.

In the past, I’ve had very poor spending habits. My budgeting skills were lacking severely.

And why would I care how much money I was spending? Any extra money in my pocket was spent unwisely.

Now, with several hundred dollars going toward rent and utilities every month, it’s a lot more difficult to buy any unnecessary items. Plus, I’m saving a significant amount of money living away from campus.

I know the importance of turning off the lights before I leave a room because I’m the one who has to pay for it when they are left on.

I know the importance of leaving the thermostat at a reasonable temperature because I’m the one who has to pay if the air conditioner (or heater) is running too much.

I know the importance of turning the water off while I’m brushing my teeth because I’m the one who pays for the extra water.

I know the importance of being efficient and stingy.

I’ve learned that sometimes you have to wake up five minutes earlier for class and work in order to contend with the traffic and construction on the highway. I’ve also learned how to speed more effectively when I stay in bed a little too late.

These are important life lessons I never would have learned in a dorm room.

Baker wants its students to receive the full college experience to prepare them for real life, but yet Baker’s housing policy isolates its students from real life.

Allowing students to live off campus makes the transition out of college that much easier.<br/>It's all about the learning experience. That's what we pay for here, right?It's all about the learning experience. That's what we pay for here, right?
It’s all about the learning experience. That’s what we pay for here, right?