Why You Should Live On Campus
Start writing a post
College

11 Ways Dorm Life Surpasses Commuting To College Any Day, Fact

I would 110% recommend committing to the dorms.

99
woman drinking coffee working on laptop in bed

Living away at college is, for the most part, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Yes, it may seem undesirable with the inedible dining hall food, noisy neighbors, and… well… the added cost for housing. However, it isn't all that bad. If living on campus is something you truly are considering, I would 110% recommend committing to the dorms.

And, just to back my case, here's a list of 11 things you'd miss out on if you choose to stay home.

Making friends with others in your building

Sure, there are plenty of ways to make friends, as a resident or a commuter, but living in close proximity to others and sharing a bathroom with them can force you to get to know people pretty quickly. I personally have made some of my closest friends just by having neighboring rooms.

Being able to walk to your friends’ dorms… literally whenever

Even if you don't live in the same building as your friends, you still get to see each other whenever you want. There's no need to use up your gas to go out to see friends when their dorms are an easy three-minute walk away.

Having the library as a quiet place to escape to

Unlike being at home where you can't always guarantee an escape from parents, siblings, or pets, having the library on campus makes for a genuinely nice place to get work done. Not only are you put into the studying mood by having all of the other busy bees working around you, but the silence truly helps to put your mind in the right head space to work.

Having an array of easily accessible late night snacks

From vending machines, to grab and go snacks, I know (at least on my campus) if I'm craving a smoothie at 11 p.m. I can walk right across the street and get one in under five minutes. Sure, having a full kitchen readily available is nice too, but who has the energy to make your own food when you can get premade things instead?

Not having to drive to class

Just like saving gas by not having to visit your friends, you get to save gas by not having to drive to school every single day. Plus, by living on campus, you eliminate the travel time and can wake up so much later. Either that, or you will now actually have time to eat breakfast in the morning.

Being able to take naps between classes

For those nights where you don't sleep a wink, why settle for three coffees keeping you awake when you can have a mighty power nap instead? Commuting doesn't give you the royalty of having your own personal bed in the vicinity of your classes.

Taking advantage of the dining hall “specials”

From waffle nights to Christmas dinners, the dining hall makes up for its typically nasty foods on these special occasions. Nothing makes finals season more bearable than hot, syrupy pancakes being served at midnight.

Having a gym close by

For me at least, this gives me the motivation to actually work out, especially since my dorm is literally right next to the gym. I never have a good enough excuse for why I can't go.

Being on campus for the fun fairs, booths, and events they put on

Most schools will hold back-to-school fairs out on the green, with food vendors and games to get students back into the swing of things. As cheesy as it sounds, these events are actually really cute ways to get out of your room and see what your school truly has to offer.

 Learning how to “adult” on your own

For most, this is the first time they're being thrown out into the (almost) real world on their own. You're forced to figure out how to do your own laundry, clean your dishes, and simply take care of yourself. This makes for an extremely effective lesson on how to be more independent.

 Gaining more freedom

Similar to gaining independence, as a college student living away from home, you feel as free as a bird. Yes, you have an RA telling you not to do drugs or make noise past 10 p.m., but you don't have to ask them to go out or have friends over. With this sudden freedom, however, just remember to make good choices!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50124
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32002
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955420
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180571
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments