You just gotta do what's best for YOU. You know how smart you are, how you study, etc. Some people claim that you MUST stay at the hotel to succeed -- there will be "group study," etc. Ehhhh, maybe for them. Some guys need a group, that's fine. Other's don't. As with any "group," you'll find there are plenty there who don't know what they're talking about and haven't studied on their own, instead counting on the group -- that can waste your time if you're a guy who knows your stuff. As long as you are committed and have a place to study quietly like you did for CFI, in college, etc., you'll be fine. Or join a group if that's your style, whether at the hotel, on the weekends at the training center, whatever your needs are.

In fact, the company wasn't even covering hotel for local folks at one point (I know this policy has changed on and off), and the local guys did JUST fine not being at the hotel and commuting.

If you've gone to college, you've studied before -- and will be fine for the ground stuff.

The sim is a different story, of course, but a good comprehension of the systems, flows, etc. is a great head start for the sim, too.