It's the question that every college student must
answer: should they live on-campus or off-campus? Both options have their
advantages and disadvantages, so it is crucial for students to weigh the
choices before making a final decision.
Here are some pros and cons of living on-campus and off-campus for you
and your student to consider.
On-Campus
Pros
- Accessibility to the college: - If
you live on-campus, you can easily walk to classes, libraries, computer
labs, cafeterias, etc. You don't have to waste time and money on driving
to college, finding a parking space, and so forth. Also, there is plenty
of parking available for every residential student in their own assigned
residential lots. No more fighting for those coveted commuter spaces.
- Increased social life: - Living on-campus will allow you to meet
more people and establish more friendships than if you live off-campus.
Living in a residence hall means that there will always be someone around
to hang out with. You will also be more aware of any campus activities and
how to be involved in them.
- Convenience: - Everything you need is located either on
campus or very nearby. Why spend precious moments you could be using to
study sitting in a traffic jam?
- Less privacy: - When living in a residence hall, it can be
more challenging to maximize privacy. While you will most likely have your
own bedroom (particularly in the upper-class accommodations), you may
still have to share a bathroom and common space. If you are someone who
values complete privacy or you need absolute quiet to study, this may be
more challenging for you.
- Limited space: - At most colleges, the residence hall rooms
are on the smaller size and there is little storage space at your
disposal. You have to limit what you bring to college, or your space will
be too crowded. That means you have to economize and you may have to
change out your wardrobes between seasons.
- Independence: - You will not have to follow as many rules
if you live off-campus. Residence halls have several rules that students
must abide by when living on-campus. (These rules are usually designed for
the overall protection and safety of the residents). Living off-campus
will give you freedom from those rules and allow you to set your own.
- Space: - Living off-campus means that you will be
more likely to have a larger bedroom and more storage space. This can make
your personal space more attractive, and can make staying in your room to
study a little less claustrophobic. If you can afford to do so, you may
even have the option of getting an apartment to yourself. This will give
you ultimate privacy and seclusion.
- Sense of responsibility:
Living off-campus will help you be more responsible. If you live
off-campus, you will be in charge of paying bills, cleaning house, grocery
shopping, and cooking. Being responsible is a good quality to possess (in
case you consider this one a con).
- More expensive: - Often times, off-campus housing is more
expensive than on-campus housing. Utilities and cable can be an added
monthly expense, and you may have to pay for your own Internet access. You
will also need to buy furniture, kitchen essentials, bath necessities,
cleaning supplies, etc., which can be a hefty start-up cost.
- Lease limitations: - You will typically be required to commit
to a full 12-month lease in most apartment communities. If you value going
home to live with your family to save money in the summer, this can be
problematic. Many apartments won’t give you the ability to sublease.
- Transportation: - When living off-campus, it may not be
convenient for you to walk to campus so you would have to find
transportation. Whether you drive your car or use a form of public
transportation, it is still going to cost you money. Traffic can also be
an issue if you live in a crowded area.
- Isolation: - If you live off-campus, you may not be as
involved with campus activities as you would if you lived on-campus. This
could cause you to feel a sense of detachment with your college and cause
you to not make as many friends.
Cons
Off-Campus
Pros
Cons
When deciding whether to live on-campus or
off-campus, think about what is important to you. You may even want to put
together a list of your own pros and cons. In the end, you need to make the
decision that is best for you, your budget, and your own living style.
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