The Pros and Cons of Living on Campus Your Freshman Year

There are many pros and cons to living both on or off-campus your freshman year of college and the decision truly comes down to whichever environment would allow you to thrive and enjoy your experience the most. 

The first pro that comes to mind when thinking of living on campus is the affordability of the dorms in comparison to an off-campus apartment or house. Most university room and board costs do not exceed the price of living off-campus and can sometimes come with a meal plan. This also makes things easier on freshmen as they are still adjusting to this environment, and having a meal plan takes the stress of making meals off of them. Also, the majority of the dining halls in universities are located fairly close to the dorms on campus which is another aspect that benefits students living on campus as well. Another pro to living on campus would have to be the sense of community students experience by living close to all the school buildings and amenities. By living on the actual campus, students are able to adjust more to this new environment and will most likely be able to learn their way around campus much faster than those who live off-campus. Living on campus amongst other students can lead to making more connections with peers as well as gaining a sense of familiarity which can help freshmen adapt more to their university. Another positive aspect to living on campus is the safety it brings. Not only is it safer in terms of crime but also in regard to students’ health. Most university campuses offer counseling for mental health, nighttime shuttle services, as well as text or email messages that alert students of any threats on campus. Although these services are offered to the entire student body, students living on campus are able to get much greater use out of these services in comparison to those who chose to live off-campus. By living on campus and being around other students as well as the student activities occurring on campus, there is an encouragement of academic success. For example, in between the classes which are walking distance from the dorms there is more time to study either in the students’ dorm or in the on-campus library which in turn will help the students succeed more in their classes. 

Although there are many pros to living on campus your freshman year as it is typically encouraged to do so, there are also some cons to this living situation. First off, living on campus requires that you have a roommate and most times you are not able to choose who you are living with which can affect how much you enjoy your freshman year. Some students would prefer to live with friends from their hometown instead and others may prefer to live completely off-campus no matter the roommate situation, as living on campus requires having an RA which puts a restriction on your personal freedom. Living off-campus your freshman year can also allow you to gain a sense of familiarity within the town your university is located in and not just the campus itself. By living off-campus your freshman year you are also able to work more on your own schedule and adjust how you would prefer to all while still having a college experience. There are both positive and negative aspects to each living situation, but ultimately the decision comes down to which aspects the student personally values more.

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