On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Living

Students attending universities often have the choice between staying in the dormitories on campus or finding themselves living quarters off campus. Many students and their parents are faced with this decision when the student is accepted to a university that is not so close to home. There are many factors on why students should make this decision wisely. Although both decisions have its advantages and disadvantages, it is imperative for students to weigh out their options ahead of time. It is necessary for students to decide if living on the university's campus will be accommodating until leaving for summer or if most wise decision is to live off-campus. A main factor students should focus on is privacy. When living in dormitories, student have little to no privacy because in most cases students are living in a shared space. This includes sharing the bathroom, the kitchen, and the living room. Sometimes this can be annoying if there are two totally different students. There may be a conservative, reserved student and the other student may be a party-goer, one who likes to listen to loud music and stay up until the late hours if the morning. In many cases, students find themselves in living arrangement the regret solely on the fact that one student wants to have friends over, but the other does not.This alone can cause great tension between the roommates. On the other hand, if a student decides to live off-campus and commute back and forth to the university, the student will not have to worry about privacy matters because he or she will have a space with no roommate. Sometimes, students have curfews when living on the university's facilities, but thus would not be an issue if living off-campus. Being able to come and go without worrying about disturbing a roommate is one luxury of finding a apartment off-campus.

If students think it is cheaper to live off-campus, rather than staying on campus, that theory is wrong. If deciding to move off-campus, there are many advantages, but disadvanges to a student and his or her parents as well. There are many bills that students should consider for off-campus living. Rent is going to be between 500.00 and 1,000.00 dollars, depending on what environment the student is willing to stay in. After rent is paid, utilities will be due. Utilities often include phone, internet, and cable, which will run the student about 150.00 to 200.00 dollars a month. Students will also have an electric and/or gas bill at about 75.00 to 250.00 a month. In some cases, a water will be in effect too. This is typically around 50.00 to 100.00 dollars. He or she would have to purchase furniture if they do not have any. In many cases, the students' family is willing to donate furniture so the student would not have to purchase any. How will the student eat? Buying groceries will become a monthly bill as well. The average amount, in a month, spent on food for one student is 300.00 to 400.00 dollars. If the student is living off-campus, he or she will have to commute back and forth to the university. Purchasing a car will be a necessity. The student will have to make a down payment of about 500.00 to 2500.00, but the student will also have to make bi-weekly or monthly payments ranging from 200.00 to 400.00 dollars, depending on the vehicle chosen. With the car, the student would have to purchase insurance, which is typically between 75.00 and 300.00 dollars a month. If the student does not have the appropriate funds to purchase a vehicle, he or she can always use public transportation. A 31 day pass is usually around 75.00 dollars. Students often find themselves getting part-time jobs to help them with the bills, but this can become a big distraction from attending classes and completing assignments. On top of making these monthly expenses, the have to be made on time with no exceptions. However, if a student lives on-campus, he or she will not have to commute and their room and board is automatically deducted from tuition and/or student loans. Getting a job would only be because they wanted extra money. To live on-campus would mean socializing with new people and making new friends. If a student is in an unfamiliar city, it is best for the student to explore the campus and befriend a few people. Upon arriving to the campus, there will be a meet and greet and tour of the campus, so student can familiarize themselves with the university and its amenities. Another way to make new friendships is to attend activities or events the university sponsors. Many students have made life-long friends by simply attending a basketball game. Some students also find that joining different groups, such as a fraternity, sorority, or sports team, also help to keep from feeling isolated. On the other hand, if a student decides to live off-campus, it will be harder to make friends because the student is not living on-campus. If a student wanted to attend a football game, it would require commuting back and forth from home to the campus. However, living off-campus provides a lot less distractions for many students. Parties are one distrastion off-campus students do not have to worry about. Since everything is at the on-campus students disposal, he or she will know about all the exciting fraternity or sorority parties everyone, including themselves, will want to attend. In doing so, attending parties will have students hanging out late, possibly missing classes and not completing assignment.