Living on-campus vs. living-off campus

Living on-campus or off-campus is an important thing for a student to think through properly and come up with a decision because both options have their pros and cons and they affect the student’s general life both directly and indirectly.

Living on-campus may be convenient as the student will have more time to get down on books, not really worried of how far its going to be to get to the library, classes, or even the computer laboratory and the resource centers situated on campus, because she will only have to walk to this venues unlike the one living off-campus and has to look for transportation to school everyday and may even be late for class if there is traffic jam (Friedman, 2005).

A student living on-campus also has an added advantage as she has an increased social life. She is in a better position to meet new people and of different backgrounds, Walker and Candace (2005) state that this is an easy avenue for her to make more friends unlike the student living off-campus as she may not have much time for interaction with other students. This relations also have their effects on the parties involved, and the student’s general academic performance may be adversely affected by the influence of their friends, that is, if they only choose to party and have fun not caring about classes.

The dorm or hostel-life may be simple and affordable since you do not have to think about the monthly rent payment, bills that you have to pay for when you stay off-campus, and even your meals are obvious or preplanned and they are comparatively cheap (Friedman, 2005). The disadvantage to this kind of life is the limited space and lack of privacy as you have to share the little rooms you are allocated with other students. The always busy campus compound will also rob you off a serene environment to study or unwind.

Living-off campus on the other hand also have great advantages and some disadvantages to a student as she will learn to be more responsible and take proper care of what she possess. Walker and Candace (2005) say that she will be in charge of all expenses and will have to pay all the bills as they come, and in addition will clean and prepare meals for herself unlike in school where you can get your food from cafeteria on campus. This aura of responsibility can cause isolation because of little time spent in your college and a sense of detachment from your college mates will crop up as you do not make as many friends.

Independence and privacy is assured when you live off-campus; you do not have to share your bathroom and many other essential facilities with so many people like for those staying on-campus. The student is in a position to do as she wishes whenever she wants because its her rules. There is enough room for anything one wants to keep or even buy to add to what she already own, better still the student will have enough space and assured calm environment for studying.

Friedman (2005) states that these are facts that explain conditions and situations that college students, especially the freshmen find themselves in and tend to get difficulty in decision making, but all in all, it will depend on an individual’s choice and preference. Given a chance as a student, i would prefer living on campus as its cost effective and convenient. Living on-campus enables a student enjoy his or her social life, some of the extracurricular activities like sports, dance groups, clubs and so on, come hand in hand with academics.

references

retrieved on 1st August,2010 at 20:30p.m

HYPERLINK “http://www.ecampustours.com/campuslife/livingonandoffcampus/livingoncampusvsoffcampus.htm”http://www.ecampustours.com/campuslife/livingonandoffcampus/livingoncampusvsoffcampus.htm

Friedman, S. (2005). Bryn Mawr College College Prowler Off The Record.college prowler.inc

Walker, A.,Candace, M. (2005).Hampton University College Prowler Off The Record.amazon.com