Living on campus has been a part of mainstream American culture for years. You’ve seen it depicted in countless movies: the child moves off to college and, as a freshman, finds a place on campus, usually in the dorms. It’s become such a steady part of our culture that it’s essentially expected of us: we graduate from high school and then move away to college.
But is this really the ideal human experience? After all, who decided that college—and dorm life, specifically—was how things were meant to be? Shouldn’t we question what’s expected of us and ask ourselves if there might be better ways to spend our time? And speaking of “our time,” why do we have to invest years of it living on campus if all we’re going to do is drink too much and study too little?
There are valid arguments on both sides, so let’s explore the pros and cons. It’s time for a classic list of advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Living on Campus
Access. Where you live plays a significant role in the quality of your everyday life. When you live on a college campus, you’re surrounded by resources. Need food? The cafeteria is nearby. Need to study? The library is just a walk away. Need to work out? There’s probably a fitness center you can use. The list of resources available when living on campus is extensive—and it’s one of the key selling points colleges use to recruit students and student-athletes.
Moreover, you’ll have easy access to a social life, with other students your age, all going through the same experience. If that doesn’t sound appealing, then you may be missing the point.
Focus. This one is a bit more debatable, but it’s worth mentioning. Living on campus gives you an environment where it’s easier to focus on your studies. Your dorm room is small, so heading to the library to get some work done can be a great way to escape your living space. Living at college means you can immerse yourself in academic life—it’s as simple as that.
Of course, there will be distractions. For example, the opposite sex and the abundance of food (leading to the dreaded “freshman fifteen”). But if you can’t find the self-discipline to focus on your studies while living at school, you might want to reconsider your approach to time management.
Cost. Living in the dorms is actually a pretty good deal. Room and board are your main expenses, and most of your daily needs are taken care of. Meal plans are easy to acquire. Books are expensive, but they’d be costly regardless of where you live. In fact, dorm life is a very cost-effective way of living. Even though you’re a broke college student, it’s actually a pretty good setup.
Cons of Living on Campus
The “college experience” is overrated. You’ve probably heard it many times: “It’s important to have the college experience.” “Part of the reason you go to college is for the experience.” But what exactly is the college experience? Socializing with others your age? That’s been happening since kindergarten! The “college experience” of partying in dorms or joining a fraternity might be valuable because you spend it with friends, but what experience that involves friends isn’t valuable?
Don’t feel pressured to drink and party in college to “sew your wild oats.” If you choose to live in the dorms, focus on what truly matters—building lifelong friendships and focusing on your education. That’s the real value of dorm life.
Cost. Yes, we mentioned that cost is a “pro,” but if you’re already 18 or older and have an apartment, living in a dorm may seem unnecessary and even wasteful. Why not opt for an online university, where you can skip commuting, dorm life, and all the associated costs? Online universities offer a more affordable and convenient alternative.
Distractions. This is the flip side to the “focus” section mentioned earlier. While living on campus can help you focus on school, it can also present significant distractions. Perhaps you’re distracted by members of the opposite sex, alcohol, or hanging out with friends who live just down the hall. If you’re not good at managing distractions, dorm life could make it difficult to stay on track academically.
However, if you want to develop your focus skills, the challenges of dorm life might be an opportunity to grow. Just be aware that distractions will be plentiful, and it will take discipline to stay on course.
Is living on campus the right option for you? It depends on your needs, situation, and goals. Everyone is different. The purpose of this article is not to promote one viewpoint but to make you aware that dorm life may not be the best fit for everyone. It’s part of mainstream society, yes—but who says mainstream society gets to dictate your life choices?
One Response
In my opinion, it’s already too old-fashioned to live on campus. When I was a kid and saw movies about college life, I thought it was really fun and cool and I couldn’t wait to go to college myself. But already in my first year, I realized that it’s not like in the movies. Living on campus really makes it easier to immerse yourself in college life and the learning process, but I wouldn’t spend all my college years living on campus. So I moved out when my sophomore year started and paid even less for off-campus housing.
Is it okay to share links? https://www.reddit.com/r/Infographics/comments/kxu8qi/living_oncampus_vs_living_offcampus_inforgraphic/ – there’s a little more clarifying information here. I think it’s important for students to make a decision about their accommodation and consider the pros and cons. Because college years are some of the most important, and you need to create a supportive environment for yourself.