Which College Housing Option Should You Choose?

Most of the time, college is the first time you will be living away from your parents or another family member. To prevent any housing barriers, you need to ensure you go with the right choice. However, between dorms and UW off campus housing options, finding the best fit can be challenging. Here is everything you need to know to choose the best living arrangements.

Pros of Living on Campus

The best part about living on campus is that all of your expenses are paid. This includes a meal plan, so you don’t have to worry about not having enough money to eat well. Plus, if you are a good student, your scholarship funds can cover some of these costs. If you did not receive enough scholarship funds to cover your on campus costs, you could always apply to be an RA and work to lower your fees. You also don’t have to worry about commuting to campus for classes and the cost of that.

Additionally, you can get a sense of camaraderie living in dorms. This can help make the transition to college easier by knowing that everyone is going through the same things. Likewise, it can also make studying with classmates easier. You can meet people in the hallways and get involved through residence life activities. On top of this, the dorms are often patrolled by security, so you know your environment will be safe.

Pros of Living Off Campus

The biggest benefit of off campus housing is that any extra costs are cheaper because they are not fixed. Aside from saving money, this can be a good learning experience as students learn how to budget for their needs. If they do a good job with this, they can start building their resume as a renter, making it easier for them to find a home after they graduate. Living off campus also allows students to meet people from all walks of life rather than only socializing with their classmates. However, they can still choose to live with their friends rather than an assigned roommate.

Another benefit of living off campus is the added privacy for students who need space to unwind and get their homework done. In addition, this space will be more relaxing since they don’t have to adhere to the strict rules of on campus rooms. That means they can invite their fellow students over for relaxation and study time without worrying about roommates. Plus, it is more convenient since students will have a given housing option if they decide to take summer courses. They also don’t have to worry about moving out and back in with the semesters.

Choosing where to live during college is a big decision. While cost should be a consideration, you also need to think about other factors. Living off campus gives you more responsibility but also more freedom. On campus, options can do the exact opposite. Therefore, you should choose the right housing option based on your desired college experience. Looking at the pros of each scenario can help you make this decision.