It’s an exciting phase of our lives when it’s time to head off to college. Stepping away from the comfort of your home, it’s a first taste of the world and life outside. Dormitories are a popular choice for accommodation while in college and thousands of students move in every year. For those who feel apprehensive or feel independent housing is a better option, here are some great reasons to stay in a dorm.
Make friends
A dorm will be packed with lots of people with all kinds of personalities. You may not get along with everybody, but by simply living together with a large number of people you will find yourself making lots of new friends. People who recently moved in will be looking to make new friends, too. Befriending new people is a great way to overcome homesickness. Spending time with friends is one of the best parts of college and will give you some very fond memories when you leave.
Security
Colleges and universities pay extra attention to making the campus safe and secure. That means more peace of mind for students and especially parents. Dorms are constantly monitored by security to track entry and exit of students and other visitors. Unfortunately, living outside the campus does not offer the same kind of security.
Less responsibility
Although you have to follow dorm rules, they are quite easy to live with, and compared to living independently it’s a much lighter burden. Living in a dorm you only have to bother about keeping your room or your portion of the room clean. Campus maintenance takes care of the washrooms and common areas. Since you will likely purchase a meal plan in a dorm, that means no effort to be made for cooking food or washing dirty dishes.
Proximity
Another benefit of choosing on campus accommodation is that you have almost all the things you need a short distance away. Dorms are usually positioned so that classes, libraries, and other necessary areas are easily accessible. You don’t have to worry about morning traffic or spend money on transportation.
Economic
The cost of living in a dorm is often much lower than getting an apartment by yourself or with friends. Dorms usually cover utility costs and internet, and in an independent apartment you will have to spend more. Also factoring in the transportation costs makes living in a dorm a better option.
Resident advisors
Most dorms pair students up with a Resident Advisor (RA) who is a senior student or a staff member. You can go to your advisor if you need guidance regarding something or need some kind of help. Having someone to turn to is a big help, especially if it’s your first time leaving home.
Independence
Living in a dorm is much different from living at home, especially for people who have strict parents. You can do things at your own pace and time. Not feeling like studying today? You don’t have to. Initially, this kind of freedom is fun and exciting but you will discover how things can go bad if you aren’t responsible about your work and time management. These are lessons you learn only by living through them.
Living in a dorm is a fun and unmatched experience. College life is not quite the same if you choose not to live in one.
