"The Experience"



Choosing Your College: Housing

Author: petersons, Category: College Search

Food and sleep. Sleep and food. More sleep. More food. Somewhere in there are classes and a social life, too, but when it comes to the basics (sleep and food!), your living arrangements in college will have the most influence on the quality of both. They’ll play a significant role in your access to activities and classrooms, as well.

So, what is it that you want…food at your fingertips and surroundings that are never quite fully asleep, or do you prefer to heat up ramen when the need hits you as long, as you can always catch your ZZZZZs? Well, you know what they say: Location! Location! Location!

The dorm
Let’s start with the most obvious choice for first-timers. On-campus living is a great starting point for making new friends and getting to know your surroundings…and to ensure that a hot meal is always available! Dorms provide easier access to campus and places like the library and the student center — and you can quickly connect with a large number of people through structured social activities.

Consider the convenience of other amenities normally available in a dorm, such as study rooms, computer labs, Internet access, and large yards with recreational facilities. Some dorms even have small weight rooms and saunas. With a dorm room as home-base, you can easily get everywhere you need to go. Think of it as one-stop shopping!

On the other hand…before you put in your application for university housing, you should consider if you can deal with the lack of privacy and constant togetherness. Dorms offer communal bathrooms, study areas, lounges — everything is for everyone. Even your room can be a hard place to find peace and quiet sometimes, depending on your roommate and the dorm itself. However, taking a crack at dorm life is something you may not want to miss, even if it’s just for a little while. You may never get this chance again.

Other options
Apart from dorms, other on-campus or near-campus options may be available, such as student apartments, although they are often offered only to upper-classmen. If you’re interested, be sure to look in to it. While not as posh as something you’d see on MTV Cribs, campus apartments are a definite step up from the dorms — and you won’t lose the conveniences of being on campus. They’re still likely to provide an active social life (since all of your neighbors are fellow students), and you can cook in your own kitchen, lounge in your own living room, and best of all, shower in your private bathroom.

With a campus apartment, you’re likely to spend more, but you can test-drive living on your own (or with one or two roommates), and see how well you fare without having to stray too far.

In any college town, it’s generally easy to find off-campus living alternatives, such as renting an apartment or sharing a house with several students. You may also consider living at home if school is nearby. If you choose to live off-campus and out of your parents’ house, you should think about where you’ll live in terms of the neighborhood, safety, transportation, and costs for food and rent — they may or may not be less costly than living in the dorms. Social activities may not be readily available, but if you prefer a quieter living arrangement, a house or apartment may be a better option for you…or not. Some college neighborhoods are known for non-stop parties.

At some schools, apartment complexes near campus are rented out almost exclusively by college students and there may be student-oriented activities planned periodically for residents who wish to attend, such as pool parties and barbeques. If you’re interested, see if you can talk to some students that live in the area to get the deal on what life’s like in the neighborhood.

The transportation factor
A big consideration for living off-campus is figuring out how you’re going to get to school. If you’re lucky, your place will be within walking distance of campus. If not, you may be fortunate enough to have a roommate who is willing to share their car, but you shouldn’t count on it. Many campuses, large or small, are on the local bus routes and it’s entirely possible that the public transportation in town may take care of your needs for getting to school and around town. A bike is a great resource, as well. With a little planning, you may not need to have a vehicle at all and can save your gas money for those weekends out!

The choice is yours
Whatever you decide, college offers you a variety of places to lay your head and call home without missing a meal. If you’re off-campus, head down to the student center for a meal or a get-together with friends. If you’re feeling a little cramped at the dorm, the local town is bound to offer up a variety of activities and restaurants to change your pace for the day. Whatever you decide, there’s a world of new experiences waiting for you!

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