During the Spring semester, students will make their housing decisions for the next academic year. You have to decide where you want to live, and who you want to live with. No matter if you’re going to college for the first time, or a returning student, this can be a stressful time. This is especially true if you’re unsure about the different types of housing both on and off campus. Most schools offer a lot of the same types of housing, so here I’m going to break down the different types of housing, as well as pros and cons to every type in order to help make your decision a little bit easier!
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Traditional/Communal Dorms: These dorms are usually reserved for freshman and sophomores. They typically have 2-3 people sharing them, and have a bathroom at the end of the hallway that you share with everyone on the floor. So yeah, they’re not the most luxurious, especially on the weekends when people come back from going out and weren’t too good at holding their liquor, or when the shower runs out of hot water. It’s not all that bad, though. In fact, the reason most colleges reserve these rooms for freshmen and sophomores is because they’re the most social dorms and the easiest to make friends in. Since the dorms are communal, many people leave their doors open and are always talking, doing homework together, or going to the dining hall together. I know a lot of people that still have their friends from their underclassmen years on communal floors. In fact, one of my biggest regrets from college is not living in a communal dorm. I think that it would’ve made my freshman year a lot easier. However, another huge con is that there is barely any privacy in these dorms. You know everyone, and everyone knows you as you’re all living on top of each other, so take that as you will. They can also get really loud, and it sucks at night when you’re trying to sleep or study.
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Suites: Suites are typically arranged of four people, but sometimes five or six. Usually in suites, two people will share a room, and there will be a bathroom that connects to the other suite and everyone shares. The first major pro of a suite is that you get your own bathroom, which is huge. The second is that overall, you do get a lot more privacy, and the suites are typically nicer than the communal dorms. However, most of the time, the suites are a lot less social than the communal dorms. Everyone’s doors usually automatically shut, and you really won’t know a majority of people who live on your floor. So living in suites can really depend on what year you’re in and your personality.
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Off campus/apartments: By the time that you’re a junior or senior, many people grow tired of on campus living and want a bit more freedom. So they go to off campus housing and find a house or apartment nearby. Off campus housing can be really awesome, especially since you have a lot more freedom and your own room. No more RA’s or campus rules. But, this also means that you will be totally on your own. You will have to cook every single meal, pay all your bills, and deal with a landlord. This can get very overwhelming and stressful at times. Just make sure that you know what you’re getting into and be aware of your new responsibilities!
Other Options: Another option you have is becoming an RA. If you become an RA, you get free housing, and this is a big deal! But, being an RA is a full time job. You have A LOT of responsibilities and are held to a much higher standard than other students. Being an RA is not for everyone. Personally, it was never for me, but I have some friends who are RA’s who love it and find it very rewarding. You could also choose to live in your sorority house. Think about it, living with all your sisters/friends, how awesome is that? But, you should also think about whether being with all your friends 24/7 could potentially be a distraction to you, as well as another lack of privacy in a housing situation like this. Overall, there are many options of where you can live while at school, you will be sure to find something that fits your needs!