Where you decide to live each year will have an enormous impact on your overall college experience. While a big part of the decision is personal preference (and your budget), it's a good idea to run through the following questions before you make your decision:
1. Price comparisons: While living on campus might seem more expensive at first, there are other costs to consider when renting an off-campus apartment or house to share with other students. For starters, there's a gas, electric and cable bill that will roll around every month. Don't forget the cost of eating, as well. While meal plans for on-campus cafeterias might lead to sticker shock, have you been to a supermarket lately? If you life off campus, you'll have a kitchen to stock, as well. One more thing to think about is the cost of getting to and from classes every day. If you drive, there are gas and parking costs as well.
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. Will I be able to study? What dorm dwellers lack in privacy is offset by the accessibility of ample places to go to study in quiet. Campus libraries are often open around the clock, especially during finals week. If you opt to live on campus, you can easily meet with study groups or get yourself to the computer lab at any hour of the day or night. Don't forget to consider the weather in your area, as well. All it would take would be one big snow storm to keep you away from class if you live off campus.
4. What do I want from my college experience? To you, college could be a necessary time in life to carve out a better future for yourself. Or, you could be in search of four additional years to transition from child to adult. Can you see how these two types of students would differ greatly in their choice of living arrangements? College offers a rare time in life when a student usually lives away from home for the first time. Where you live will have an enormous impact on how those years play out for you.
As you can see, there are clear advantages in both scenarios. There is an option that might present the best of both worlds if you're still on the fence. Most college towns have apartment, house, duplex or even condo rentals within walking distance of the heart of lecture halls, shopping and night life. It might serve you well to look into these as well. - 30224
1. Price comparisons: While living on campus might seem more expensive at first, there are other costs to consider when renting an off-campus apartment or house to share with other students. For starters, there's a gas, electric and cable bill that will roll around every month. Don't forget the cost of eating, as well. While meal plans for on-campus cafeterias might lead to sticker shock, have you been to a supermarket lately? If you life off campus, you'll have a kitchen to stock, as well. One more thing to think about is the cost of getting to and from classes every day. If you drive, there are gas and parking costs as well.
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. Will I be able to study? What dorm dwellers lack in privacy is offset by the accessibility of ample places to go to study in quiet. Campus libraries are often open around the clock, especially during finals week. If you opt to live on campus, you can easily meet with study groups or get yourself to the computer lab at any hour of the day or night. Don't forget to consider the weather in your area, as well. All it would take would be one big snow storm to keep you away from class if you live off campus.
4. What do I want from my college experience? To you, college could be a necessary time in life to carve out a better future for yourself. Or, you could be in search of four additional years to transition from child to adult. Can you see how these two types of students would differ greatly in their choice of living arrangements? College offers a rare time in life when a student usually lives away from home for the first time. Where you live will have an enormous impact on how those years play out for you.
As you can see, there are clear advantages in both scenarios. There is an option that might present the best of both worlds if you're still on the fence. Most college towns have apartment, house, duplex or even condo rentals within walking distance of the heart of lecture halls, shopping and night life. It might serve you well to look into these as well. - 30224
About the Author:
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.
