Living On-Campus Vs. Off-Campus
Going to college is an exciting phase in a teenager’s life. It means living away from home, meeting new people and adjusting to a new place to call your home away from home. For parents and students alike, choosing the right place to live in is as vital as choosing the right college or university.
College housing has two options – either on-campus or off-campus. Both have their advantages and disadvantages so it’s all up for the students and their parents to decide which would be best for them.
On-campus housing usually involves a dormitory while those off campus include apartments and condos. Living inside the school campus offers several advantages. For one thing, it saves students time and money in going to and from their classes. Since buildings are just within walking distance, they don’t need to use cars or take public transport. Walking even gives them a good exercise every day.
One big advantage for students living inside the campus is security. Most colleges have security guards or security systems to protect school residents especially during nighttime. Many residence halls also utilize a card-access system that allows access through the use of a student ID card thereby preventing unauthorized people from going inside.
For many parents, they feel more confident when their children live on-campus during their first year in college. They believe their college students will be safer living within the school premises. From the second year onwards, they are more lenient and would allow an off-campus housing set-up for their teenagers.
Another benefit is the homeowners insurance which covers most personal possessions like computers, stereos and televisions. Those renting apartments outside face a risk because not all tenants are really required to have renter’s insurance.
Free laundry is also one luxury enjoyed by students living on-campus unlike those staying in apartments who will need to do their own laundry or pay for laundry services if they don’t feel like doing it themselves.
On the other hand, living off-campus offers the freedom many college students long to have. Staying in apartments means they can do things on their own without strict rules to follow. They can go out anytime they want and bring in friends as often as they wish. Students also have the opportunity to drive their own cars to and from the campus.
A major disadvantage though in this kind of housing set-up is the expenses students have to shoulder. These include spending for gas for those who have cars, laundry services, decorating and repairs of apartments and rental fees for at least a year of contract. The one-year
lease agreement alone is already costly that students need to find a
sub-leaser during school breaks otherwise, they will lose money. This is not a problem with on-campus housing since students pay only for the fall and spring semesters.
Although living off-campus gives students the extra freedom, many have also complained about the waste of time and money. Since other activities like group meetings and social events apart from regular classes take place inside the campus, those living outside need to go back and forth several times a day. In addition, those who drive their own cars have to deal with traffic and finding a parking space.
There are still other factors that may be taken into consideration in deciding which housing option is ideal for you. It’s best that you study them well and choose the most practical set-up.
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