Living on Campus: A Good Idea?

Your college years are unique in and of themselves, but where you decide to live during this time goes a long way towards defining your college experience. For some of you, living on or off campus is a clear-cut decision, while others may not be so clear on where their heart lies. Below are some things for you to consider while trying to decide where to live:

1. Costs involved. Living away from your campus is generally easier on the wallet when it comes to rent, but there are additional costs to consider. As an apartment resident, you’ll have utilities to pay and the costs of getting to campus every day. Parking might be an expense in either case, but it may be cheaper for an on-campus student to park than someone who commutes. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of groceries if you plan on living off-campus and compare that to the ‘board’ costs of eating at the dorm cafeterias.

2. How will my mailing address impact my social life? A lot. If you choose to life away from campus, chances are, you’ll also be somewhat removed from the spontaneity of the social life in the heart of the university. For some students, that could be a good thing, while others would miss the energy involved in living among other like-minded people. You’ll need to ask yourself if you are the type of person who requires privacy and down time. Apartment living would provide more space when it comes to bathrooms and sleeping arrangements, but would likely lack in the social department.

3. Study support: Living on campus definitely has benefits when it comes to studying. Most campus libraries never close, in fact. For students who like to study the night away, there’s a safe and quiet place to do so. Living on campus also provides ample opportunities to meet with study groups or attend extra lectures, and so on. If you need to take a bus or drive into the heart of the scholastic activities, bad weather could prevent you from doing so.

4. The college experience. As important as logistics such as cost and your studies, the overall experience of going to college is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. While you will certainly have the chance to live at home or in an apartment later in life, the precious few years in college offer a thriving community of like-minded people all in a similar stage in life. This is the time for you to think hard and decide how important it is for you personally to immerse yourself among them.

If after you carefully consider your options you still aren’t clear whether you should live in university housing or an off-campus apartment, most college towns offer an alternative. Look for apartments or houses that are located as close to the heart of the university as possible and sign only a one-year lease. Chances are next year you’ll be certain which option is best for you.

Bob Rome is a higher education writer and part time university instructor. He has contributed to websites on online degree programs and online degrees in education.

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!