Last year we were living in the dorms—now I consider that the good life. Dining hall food, people cleaned the bathrooms, elevators to get to our floor, garbage removal just in the basement, and not driving anywhere if you didn't feel like it. You decided that living off campus was going to be a great idea, but let's reflect on some of the downsides of off-campus living.

Making Food/Buying Food

It is Friday, you open your fridge, and there is a stick of butter, a slice of cheese, and a beer from a month ago. Now what? What do you eat? Wow, you actually have to be a real person and go food shopping. You have to spend at least 45 minutes stocking up on boxes of pasta, cans of soup, and if you are feeling ambitious, maybe you will buy some chicken breasts and make some real food.

Garbage

Garbage removal comes once a week. If you miss taking your garbage out on Wednesday, then you have to wait until the following Wednesday. Just think about how awful that is. Who knows what is in the garbage can right outside your front door—maybe throw up if you had a rough night, maybe rotten food. Honestly, there could be endless possibilities of the nasty things in there.

Snow Removal

Now this topic I really emphasize especially if you go to a school that is known for the brutal winters. When your landlord puts on the contract “Snow Removal,” look more into it. Does that mean he will remove the snow from your driveway? Or does that mean he will just push the snow off the sidewalk and entryway and block your car in so you have to shovel it out. (Yes, I am ranting because that is what is currently happening to me daily.) You will spend at least 45 minutes shoveling your driveway before you can begin moving your car. And it will still get stuck.

Dishes

If you decide to eat and put your dishes in the sink, you know they will just sit there for a long time. They won't move until you are told to move them. How about when all the bowls are dirty, and you have to eat cereal out of a glass cup. Sacrifice.

Parking Situations

Three person house, one car driveway: Who will get the spot? Then on top of that, the snow plows make you remove all cars from the street. You have to somehow play Tetris with your cars and figure out a way to get all to fit.

Getting Locked Out

When you were in the dorms, you lived with 600 people. There was at least one person walking in the same time as you that could help you get into the building. When you live off campus, you could be locked out for hours if you are locked out. Always keep your keys on you.

Don't get me wrong, living off campus is amazing. I learned how to use a crock pot!