A lot of high school seniors are probably in the process of applying to colleges right now. Once those acceptance/rejection letters come in, decisions will need to be made. One of the major things to consider when choosing a college, is whether you want to commute or stay on campus. Commuting is cheaper, but it limits your options. Here's a list of some of the pros and cons that no one tells you about living on campus.
1. Pro: If you're lucky you'll get a great roommate like me:
A lot of people will tell you their horrible experiences with a roommate. This can make living on campus seem like something to fear. What people fail to tell you, is that not all roommates are bad. In fact, my roommate is one of my closest friends on campus. We talk a lot and we're able to confide in each other about things that bother us. It's a great friendship and I never would've made it if I hadn't lived on campus.
2. Con: Laundry:
One thing about living on campus is that you have to do laundry. This wouldn't be so bad if the laundry room was within a normal vicinity, like it is in your house. If your dorm is like mine, it doesn't have it's own laundry room. This means you have to walk your laundry across the street to another building. It's actually not as bad as it sounds, but it's still one of the few cons I can think of.
3. Pro: The Food:
Be prepared to gorge on food if you live on campus. There are a multitude of different establishments to eat at and your swipe gives you access to them all. The food is also delicious. Another plus to this is that most campuses also have their own coffee shop/barista. This means that delightful coffee drinks are just a short walk away. It's also a nice place to stop between classes during the cold weather to warm up.
4. Con: The Weather:
Dealing with the cold weather is the main con. I haven't had a lot of experience with it yet, but from what I can tell it's going to make everything more difficult. Doing laundry will be harder with the cold weather, which is something I seriously dread. It's also going to make it more miserable to walk to the food establishments. Make sure you have snacks and drinks in your room, that way if a blizzard hits you don't have to go outside every time you get hungry or thirsty.
5. Pro: You make connections and it helps you get more involved:
One of the greatest things about living on campus is all the connections you make. These connections can be with friends, advisers, or clubs. The nice thing about living on campus, is that if you make a friend in class your first day you might find out that your friend lives in the same building as you. Soon you're both studying together, and your friend group grows as you get to know more people in your classes, dorm building, etc. You'll form great relationships with your adviser, because they're only a short walk away anytime you need to talk. You'll also form relationships through clubs. Clubs can involve anything on a college campus. I've heard everything from Chinese club to Model U.N.. They keep you busy and they get you involved, all while meeting great people.
