My Experience Living Off-Campus vs. On-Campus

• Days with Daniela
• 0 Comments
• October 22, 2024

Days with Daniela

Hello! Welcome to my blog. Today, I will be talking about my experiences living off-campus and on-campus, and which I consider better depending on your situation and preferences. In my first year, I didn’t have the opportunity to live on-campus because there were too many students, so I had to move to an apartment not too far from the university. In my second year, I moved on-campus.

Off-Campus

Cost of Living: The cost of the apartment where I lived was moderate. For me, the only thing that mattered was having privacy and not being too far from the university. Besides paying monthly rent, I also paid for electricity and groceries. While looking for an apartment, I found very high prices, so I recommend searching well to avoid higher costs.

Transportation: The city where my university is located has many transportation options, both paid and free, like buses. In my case, I don’t have a car, so I don’t have the extra expense of gas. If you plan to bring your car to the university, consider this additional cost.

Social Life: Living off-campus makes it harder to make friends, and sometimes you miss out on events and activities on campus, especially if you’re not very social. In my case, it was difficult to socialize compared to now that I live on-campus, but everyone is different.

Amenities and Services: You can have access to sports facilities, pools, and a mailbox included in the rent, as I did. However, other apartments might offer more services at a higher price.

Independence and Responsibility: Besides your academic responsibilities, you also have to manage your time for household chores, which takes time. I recommend having a schedule for general cleaning, and if you have a roommate, share the tasks (unfortunately, my roommate never wanted to help). A positive aspect of living off-campus is that you have more privacy and freedom.

Impact on Studies: They both have positive and negative impacts.

• Negative: The time spent traveling to campus can reduce the time available for studying. Household responsibilities, like cooking and cleaning, can distract you from your studies. It’s harder to access libraries and tutoring outside of class hours.
• Positive: You can create your own study space, without distractions from roommates and campus events. You’ll learn to manage your time better between studies and household chores.

On-Campus

Cost of Living: The cost of living on-campus can vary depending on the university. In my case, it’s somewhat high, and I live in a double or suite, but my payments include utilities like electricity and water. There’s also the cost of the meal plan, which depends on how much food you plan to pay for. Other services you have to pay for include the mail service; in my case, I have to rent a mailbox.

Transportation: Many universities offer free transportation within the campus or to nearby areas. But if you have a car, there’s an extra cost for parking and gas.

Social Life: Participating in clubs and student organizations, which sometimes have additional fees, is a great opportunity to meet more people and socialize. Since I moved on-campus, it’s been easier to socialize and make friends.

Amenities and Services: Recreational and sports facilities are included in the cost of living, such as pools, gyms, and sports fields, although some sports have an additional cost. There’s also a cleaning service. Academic services like tutoring, study areas, and libraries help you improve your grades. Health and mental wellness services are included in your tuition.

Independence and Responsibility: Sharing a room with another person teaches you to coexist and be organized. You’ll learn to save your money and spend responsibly. You’ll start to have a routine that will positively impact your personal care and studies. In my case, I find it easier to live on-campus.

Impact on Studies: There are also positive and negative aspects.

• Negative: Living on-campus can be a distraction from your studies, as you might want to attend events and parties, or the constant activity on campus can be another distraction due to noise. Sharing a room reduces personal space, and therefore your study space, and your roommate might distract you, requiring you to go to a library, but you depend on its hours, which can be inconvenient.
• Positive: All the academic support resources you need are closer to you. You have more time to study and rest without having to travel long distances or wait a long time for the bus. Being in an academic environment makes you feel more motivated, and it’s easier to form study groups with your classmates.

BONUS! Security is very important. Living on-campus is safer than living off-campus. There is 24/7 security with patrols and good lighting. On my campus, we have a system with phones in various parts of the campus in case you feel unsafe, and there’s also an escort service to accompany you to a safer place.

Conclusion: The decision between living on-campus or off-campus depends on your priorities and lifestyle. In my case, I prefer living on-campus, as it has brought me more social and academic benefits. It’s very important to know your needs and goals to make this important decision. If you don’t like the choice you made, you always have the chance to change. Good luck at your university!