This year is most of my friend's last semester on campus, and they all are super excited to get an apartment and live off campus. I, on the other hand, will be a Resident Assistant in a freshman dorm, actually my freshman dorm. My mom was worried that I would be lonely or bored when all my friends move into apartments, but I am actually excited to continue to live on campus, especially in this capacity.
Most people tend to move off campus by their junior year, unless they can't afford it or simply don't want to. I personally never plan to move off campus because I cannot imagine my college undergrad experience not in a dorm. Sure, when I have to nag my suite mates to clean the sink or deal with my roommate's alarm some mornings, I get annoyed, but I am never sick of it. There is an amazing community fostered within residence halls that just cannot be replaced by an apartment complex.
By junior year, friend groups are fairly established and you don't see many people other than those you go out of your way to see. Moving off campus continues to establish that line of thinking. If you don't eat in the dining hall, you probably won't run into random people from your high school or intro psych freshman year. You don't see someone unless you organize it do be as such. Instead of walking around campus when classes are done for the day, you go back to your apartment. For some people, this is great. That avoidance is key. For me, I love running into random people or meeting cool new people at random places.
I understand the appeal of having one's own space that is just theirs because sometimes I don't want to be with people but alone. This is why my position as an RA will be the perfect fit. Not only will I get to be a role model to new freshman, but I will have my own space and the opportunity to connect with residents on my floor and throughout the building. I truly can't imagine a more perfect fit.
Yes during weekend nights it may be harder to see my friends because we will all be in completely different places, as compared to now. I won't be able to run down a floor to grab a dress to borrow for an event or go through the bathroom to gossip. It will make us all have to work a little harder at our friendship, but that is not a bad thing.
Most of all, living on campus gives me the access to campus that I need. I don't have a car, and although the bus route is wonderful, I like the flexibility of living within close walking distance of all of my classes. When I have a three hour break, I can pop over to my room and nap or grab something I forgot. If I lived in an apartment, this ease wouldn't be there.
As nice as having my own bathroom would be, I am looking forward to continuing my time on campus next year. I can't wait to be the envy of my friends when I can nap during the day while they're wasting time in the library or crossroads. Having my own space can't even begin to compare to the love I have for my community on campus.
