I'm on vacation but can't sleep so I guess I'll start writing...
One topic I know has always been a debate around campus is whether you should live on or off campus? What are the reasons to consider both options? Why have I chosen to live on campus all 4 years? Why have some of my friends decided to move off campus?
At UT it is the norm to live on campus whereas at most schools is is the opposite. UT doesn't even require on campus housing freshman year and we have about 70% of our freshman class living on campus and then 60% of our undergrads living on campus after freshman year. Those numbers are huge compared to many other schools. So why do so many people decide to live on our tiny little campus? I think one reason is because it is a tiny little campus and it is such a community to live in. Why would you want to move away from all of your friends and all of the activities that are going on? I have noticed that when my friends move off campus they tend to not be as up to date on everything going on around campus and they miss out on a lot of events. The majority of us came to this school because it is a small university with that homey one-on-one feeling, and you won't get lost in the crowd. I think that living on campus helps a lot with not getting lost in the crowd: you can walk around at any time and know at least one person, you can get out of bed and go meet with your professors in their offices, you can walk to get food that is already paid for and is less than 5 minutes away from your room.....I could go on and on! One of the main reasons I stayed on campus and is probably the same for a lot of other students: I can roll out of bed and in 5 minutes I'm in class. I have never been late to a class, and I know for a fact that is because I live on campus. I have overslept numerous times and still been to class on time. I also work on campus, our office opens at 8:30 and if I had to get up any earlier than I already do to drive to campus, I would be one cranky person to work with! And the last reason I think people end up living on campus has to do with the great options we are given for housing: Most of our dorms were built within the last ten years, and we have an option to "move up" as we gain more credits. I would have most likely moved off campus my junior year if I wasn't given the option to live in an "Apartment Style" dorm. Having the option to go from Suite style, to having a common room, to living on your own in an apartment is great and a huge asset to our campus.
So then why do about 40% of our students live off campus? There are a few reasons: It is cheaper to live off campus, you get more privacy, there aren't as many rules, and you are finally living completely on your own. - Living off campus can definitely be cheaper there is no doubt about it, but you have to factor in the convenience you will be losing. - You will most definitely be getting more privacy and have more time on your own. In a dorm room people are always popping in and out of your room and you always have roommates around you. - The fact that you will be living away from campus will get you away from all of the rules designated by campus. If you want to live with a pet, you will have that option off campus, and if you don't agree with a lot of the rules the RAs enforce you wouldn't have to. - And last, living off campus finally gives you the independence you have been wanting. Being off campus, you can buy and make your own food, decorate how you want, and sleep in a normal sized bed.
To each his own BUT in my opinion, we have many more years after we graduate to buy our own groceries, keep our houses clean, and fix our own sinks. Enjoy the years of letting those who get paid for it make your meals, clean your rooms, and unclog your toilets. We will be commuting to and from work for the rest of our lives, so take these four years to roll out of bed in your pjs, go to class, AND get away with it.
Enjoy your Sunday Funday! I'm off to the beach!
No comments:
Post a Comment