College is a big deal for freshmen, as it is a massive transition for most. Perhaps the most exciting thing about college is the fact that most college students will move away from home and start living on their own. However, the idea of being independent now brings for the concern of new accommodations.
Accommodation is a major concern for students and their guardians. This is because acquiring a comfortable and affordable place is not as easy a task as it may sound. So the question is, what are the living options for a college student?
Here are some types of living options for college students to consider:
1. Off-Campus Apartment
Getting an apartment off-campus is a great option for people who want to live in a more comfortable and spacious environment. The off-campus life doesn’t just provide more comfort, it also creates a haven from the stress and occasional havoc of campus and academic life.
Benefits of living off-campus:
- More Space: Dorm rooms are known for being small to the point that it can trigger claustrophobia in some. Plus, living with a roommate can make space an issue. This can be very uncomfortable for a student, and it is something that can make your university experience quite sour if you are not prepared to handle it properly.
- Renting a place off-campus gets rid of that problem since you’ll be able to select a spacious apartment with lots of privacy and breathing space that can be 100% your own.
- Helps Foster Responsible Behavior: Living off-campus is full of responsibilities, such as budgeting, grocery shopping, cleaning your apartment, apartment maintenance, paying bills, cooking, etc. Since you might be the only tenant in the space, everything is on you to keep up with responsible living.
- This is great for young adults because it helps them ease into life after university – as grownups call it, the “real world.”
- Affordable: If you look for the best deals, you’ll be surprised at how off-campus living can even be cheaper than staying on campus sometimes. If needed, you can also get flatmates to help ease the bill.
- Added Benefits: Most off-campus student housing properties have amenities like Wifi, a games room, study lounge, sometimes, even a gym. To make things better, you will usually have easy access to malls, stores, restaurants, parks, etc.
If you’re lucky enough to find eco-friendly student housing like student housing in Tucson, you can reap more added benefits like reduced energy bills, onsite recycling, carpooling/rideshare programs, and even water-efficient fixtures. Not to mention bum-a-bike programs.
2. Dorm Room
Dorm rooms are a good living option for college students. A dorm room is in a residential building on-campus. Students will also value a dorm residence since campus living has many benefits.
Living in a dorm room means students will most likely share the room with a roommate, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if both parties know what to expect.
Advantages to having a roommate:
- Overall Support: Having a roommate means you have someone to lean on for support. You also have someone to keep you company and partner with you. You won’t be bored during dinner and can even watch movies together.
- Financial Support: Another advantage of having a roommate is having someone that you can lean on financially. You can split bills, buy things together, and even loan each other money in times of need.
The downside to dorms is that they tend to be small and lacking in space. Dorms will come with a desk, bed, and closet for each occupant, which might not be enough for everyone. There’s also the possibility of conflict among roommates and other residents of the dorm.
3. Greek Life House
The option of living in a Greek life house is made available at schools with sororities and fraternities. The benefit of this is that the student gets to form strong social connections and bonds with other students. The spacious house is very comfortable to live with and is also on or at least close to campus.
Although a Greek life house allows you to be social, the cons of this living option are:
- You’ll be living with a lot of students.
- Since it’s a Greek house, there will be lots of social events that can distract you from studying.
- There’s also the matter of having to live with about 30 people, which means there will inevitably be conflict.
4. Home
If your college is close to your home, then you have the option of schooling from home. This is a great option if you’re looking at it from a financial perspective as you’ll only have transportation to consider and your living expenses will be covered by your parents.
You’ll also be in a familiar environment that’s comfortable and serene, lacking the stress of campus life and demanding academic and social activities.
Plus, going to school from your home means you have your parents and siblings to support you emotionally and even academically.
Conclusion
The living options available for college students all come with their unique advantages and disadvantages. The options have to be weighed according to your personal preferences and situation.
If your aim is comfort and independence, then you would be better off getting a place off-campus. If you aim to live in a place that’s conducive for your academics, then you’re better off staying in a dorm room. Greek houses are for those who value a strong social life as well as their academics. Lastly, if you have the advantage of having your home close to your college, then living at home is an option you should consider.
For more great college tips, check out the other blogs on College Basics.
