After two years of living in a dorm, living off campus is the best decision that I’ve ever made. No more signing in guests after 8 p.m., listening to an RA or RLC force building rules down your throat, swiping your Winthrop student I.D. to get in and out of the building, and living with a roommate 2 feet from you. The fact of the matter is, I have a space to call my own. It’s nice to know that I can wake up every morning, go to my own kitchen to make a cup of coffee and sit on my couch to watch the news. Because I can.
It’s relaxing knowing that it’s a home and not a dorm. Here are some reasons why you should live off campus.
1. You have your own space.This may not seem like a huge deal to most people, but it’s a huge deal. When you’ve shared the same air with somebody for two years, it’s a blessing and privilege when you get your own space. You get your own closet, your own queen-sized bed, your own private bathroom. No more sharing for you.
2. Cooking is now a real thing.Finally I can make my mom’s delicious casseroles that I love so much. I can actually go grocery shopping for real food and not make boxed Kraft mac and cheese every night. Maybe I can actually watch my diet now — or not.
3. The fight for a parking spot is nonexistent.Along with my own bedroom, I actually now have my own space to park my car. No more playing the hunger games in the parking lot to get a good parking space. No more walking across a railroad track or a busy road to get to my dorm building. No more walking in the pouring rain to get from my car to inside. It’s wonderful.
4. No more fire drills.When you live in a dorm building, the fire alarm will go off randomly when it’s really not convenient for you. (Ex: while you’re in the shower washing your hair) You also might that have that occasional student who likes to bake in the hall kitchen at 4 a.m. which accidentally sets off the alarm because they can’t cook. Then you’re forced to go outside in the freezing rain in your pajamas for 45 minutes while you wait until the fire department inspects and clears the building. Not fun. You won’t get any of that in your own apartment/house.
5. You have the freedom to do what you want.Do you want to bake a cake at midnight with your roommates? You can do it. Do you want a giant couch shipped to your door step? You can do it and not have to carry it across campus. Do you want to throw a party on a Friday night? You can do it — but be respectful of your neighbors.
The fact of the matter is — if you have the option to live off campus, do it.
Follow Catherine on Instagram and Twitter, @cathclowe!