If you're starting University soon, or reaching the end of your college days, it's worth thinking about how you're going to go about your student life. You'll be learning for three years, or maybe even longer depending on what course you decide to take – it's a big commitment, with plenty of exams and essays to chug through. Not only that, you've got to decide how you're going to live. Are you going to stay at home, and just take a daily commute to the halls of higher education, or are you going to take the plunge and live away from home?It's a tough question this, but it definitely depends on your circumstances. If your University of choice is only a short walk or bus ride away, it might be worth staying at home. It's less stressful having to balance all of your learning with the potential perils of living alone, and transportation costs won't break the bank. However, if your place of tutilage is too far away for two trips every day, or if you're feeling adventurous, then there are basically three options for student living;University halls (or Halls of Residence)University halls are University owned buildings that are on campus, so booking your place should be as easy as long as you've got your acceptance letter, and daily walks to and from your lectures will be typically be short and sweet. You'll live alongside your peers, with a shared kitchen and sometimes a shared bathroom – so some concessions will have to be made. Most of your bills will be covered by the rental costs, the main exceptions being the TV licence and sometimes the Internet connection. There's not a whole lot to worry about when it comes to living in a University hall, some will even come with a cleaning service, so it'll be a lot like living at home. Therefore, it's the perfect choice for first timers, though some may be put off for this reason. It's a lot like home, so you won't be getting the true 'living alone' experience. Still, if you want a relatively stress free student life, there's no denying the upsides of the University hall.Student flats (Purpose built)Student flats share the same kind of architecture as the University halls, but owned by a third party company with slightly more independence and more privacy. The same life with the same costs, alongside your peers with a shared kitchen, but you typically won't have to share a bathroom. You typically won't be offered a cleaning service either. So you'll have to balance studying with keeping your place tidy.You'll have to seek these places out and book them yourself, and they're located off campus so some travelling will be required. But if you feel that a University Hall is too constricting and you want a more 'living alone' kind of feeling from your place of living, then it's the one to go for. Typically recommended for first and second years.Private housing (Renting with friends)Private housing is a very different beast. You will basically be renting your own house or flat. Yes, and that means there's all of the costs associated with it. Rental fees, TV, Internet and utility bills amonst others. Because of this, you should only go for this option if you have a circle of student friends to share with, so you can divide up the costs in a fair manner.I think it goes without saying this is the most accurate 'living alone' simulator. This option should only be taken by third years and up, or those who really know what they're doing.