Your Lovely College Abode…Or Not. Maybe. Pt. 2

By Jaz Hill on April 11, 2012

The conclusion to this two-part examination of college living. I’m sure there’s more to add below.

On Campus Pros:

  • Closer to classes (an awesome convenience)
  • Knowing your way around the campus
  • Instant socializing (dorms, floor parties, making friends, etc.)
  • Accessibility to campus facilities (gym, library, etc.)
  • No parents
  • Security
  • Meal plans
  • Custodial staff cleaning
  • Gaining independence
  • Napping between classes (truly appreciated by many)
  • Getting that complete “college experience”

On-Campus Cons:

  • Adjusting (to roomies, schedules, life from home, new rules, etc.)
  • Residence Housing rules (curfew, fines, etc.)
  • Diner food may be bad
  • Sharing facilities (public restrooms, showers, laundry area, etc.)
  • Expenses (semester/yearly dues for board, etc.)
  • Little privacy
  • Limited space (gives new meaning to packing lightly, huh?)
  • Distractions (something’s always going on in the dorms; are you really getting work done?)
  • Required meals plans (a waste if you don’t eat often or if you have a car and frequently eat off campus)
  • Being paired with sucky roommate(s)
  • Random room checks
  • R.A. (depending on the situation)
  • Mandatory floor meetings (if applicable to your college)
  • Fire/tornado drills
  • Visitors (do I even have to say?)

Off-Campus Pros:

  • Saving money (if living at home with parents or if parents pay for your own place—score!)
  • “Free” laundry (see above)
  • Freedom
  • Able to set your own schedule (with homework, hanging out, sleeping, etc.)
  • Not as many compromises (sharing close quarters, sharing facilities)
  • No random fire/tornado drills
  •  Home-cooked meals (or cooking whatever the heck you wish)
  • Privacy (unless you live with roomies, but that can be adjusted)
  • Visitors (having friends and the boyfriend/girlfriend over whenever)
  • No curfews (unless you live at home with strict parents)
  • Actual independence (you’re really catapulted into adulthood if living on your own)
  • More space
  • Peace of mind, for the most part

Off-Campus Cons:

  • Adjusting (taking care of yourself, managing priorities, etc.)
  • Commuting through bad weather and traffic
  • Finding parking spaces
  • Waking up at least half an hour earlier to get to class
  • Expenses (rent, bills, utilities, etc.)
  • Detachment (missing out on events, not being a part of on-campus activities)
  • Not as much protection (security isn’t as high when living on your own)
  • Shopping (groceries, toiletries, necessities etc.)
  • More responsibility
  • Actual independence (not so awesome if you aren’t ready for it)

Everyone has their own opinions towards college living. Some are advocates for on-campus, mainly because of the socializing. Networking is a great enough reason.

Others prefer living off-campus, usually after freshmen year. If you’re the extrovert who feeds off others, living off campus won’t hinder that. Getting involved in clubs and whatnot on campus is what I’ve done for connection.

Deciding to live with other people is huge because personalities can either mesh or clash. Some people have difficulty adapting, and then there are personal issues that could make living arrangements bothersome.

I recommend living on campus at least freshmen year. Test the waters and find out what works for you. If you’re like me, after adapting to college life the cons start to outweigh the pros. Care to share any other thoughts?

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