You should live on campus while you’re an undergrad in college.
Whether you’re first setting foot in college or a returning senior, one of the big decisions we usually have to make at some point in our college career is whether to live on or off campus. While it seems that underclassmen tend to stay on campus and upperclassmen may be more inclined to get off, it’s undoubtedly an important decision.
Approximately 85% of U.S. college students students opt to stay on campus during college, so here are the top five reasons to stick around:
Convenience
Between school work and getting enough sleep, the last thing anyone wants to worry about is spending time commuting to get to class on time. This is even more important to underclassmen, who are adapting to an independent life style–so living right where you take you classes can be a huge help. Proximity also makes it easier to be involved with clubs, sports and everything else that goes on on campus.
Specialized Communities
Learning communities have popped up on many SUNY campuses. These are areas of on campus housing designated for a specific purpose; it’s a similar idea to clubs, but taken to a whole new level. From from communities formed around specific majors to various extracurricular interests to honors programs, there are opportunities to radically change your environment to be centered around something you love. These communities can define your college experience and give you a great sense of family.
Academic Support
When you’re surrounded by fellow students, you have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other, no matter how informally. Many of the people you dorm with may be in the same classes you’re in, or have taken them before.
Friends can be a tremendous academic resource and being able to pop into the room next door to ask a question is unrivaled. When people come to you, explaining something you’ve mastered is rewarding as well as helpful to those who need it (and teaching things actually helps you understand them better).
Less to Worry About
Not ready to worry about all the maintenance, bills and worrying that often comes with living in your own place? On campus, it’s all taken care of for you.
On top of that, people sometimes forget to factor in the cost of utilities, internet access, etc. to their off campus costs. (On campus can seem like a pretty good deal when you don’t have to worry about it!)
Social Life
As any sophomore can tell you that the people you’ll have the opportunity to become closest with are often the people in your dorm! Many form their best friends that they stick with through the rest of college in their freshmen dorm. For everyone else, living on campus provides a tight knit community of people and can always help you expand your social circle.
Living with a diverse group of people also expands your social knowledge outside of the classroom. You have a chance to get to know students from all over the world and people with incredible and varied life experiences. It sounds cliche, but hanging out in a dorm can definitely broaden your horizons.
OTHER SIDE: The Benefits of Living Off Campus During College
I liked how you mentioned that you could get involved with school easier by living on campus during college. My brother is graduating high school soon and he was wondering how he could be involved with clubs and sports easier. I’ll be sure to tell him that he should consider living on-campus during college.
Thanks Jack! Current student at Alabama State and was thinking about staying on campus. Great read.
Nice post! Indeed these are the benefits of living on campus. Very nice article.