Moving from the dorm back to their childhood bedroom is thesafest and cheapest living arrangement for some after tossing theirmortarboard on graduation day.
Some University of Memphis students are planning for theirfuture careers, but not ruling out the idea of moving home afterfinishing school.
"With the job market in its current state, I don't think movinghome is such a bad idea," said Brent Maulden, psychology graduatestudent. "I moved back home before I graduated. Had it not been formy fiancee, I would have moved back home after graduation."
Local financial professionals said there are advantages ofmoving home, but they also caution graduates about slipping backinto their comfort zone.
"I don't think someone can move back home and meet their goalsof becoming independent," said Micajah Sturdivant, senior loanofficer with First Horizon, a division of First Tennessee Bank."Some graduates may have the mindset that it's always an option,but they need to set a deadline for moving out and supportingthemselves."
Some U of M students consider the move a last resort after yearsof independence from their parents.
"I've never wanted to move back home," said Lartarra Wilson,undeclared freshman. "But it's the easiest step to save money andget back into that support system you had before going tocollege."
Independence is the primary downside to moving home, U of Mstudents say.
"The job market is bad right now, but there are low-paying jobsa graduate could take while looking for other employment," saidCyndae Graham, freshman psychology major. "You've got to take thatfirst step. Your parents want you to go through the good times andthe bad ones."
Students who move back home may continue to push awayresponsibility and reality, Sturdivant said.
"Graduates should not become accustomed to having parents payfor bills and meals," Sturdivant said. "They should grasp theconcept of budgeting as soon as possible. Moving home might be alast resort, but it should not be the focal point of your immediatepost-college life."
But for those who do make the move back home, Maulden had someadvice.
"From my experience, you should deal with your parents like youwould any other roommate," Maulden said. "I would suggest sittingdown with your family and setting the rules straight on the frontend. Tell them, 'I'm older now, educated, and expecting me to behome at midnight isn't an option anymore.'"
