3 Benefits Of Living On Campus

I vividly remember my move-in day for college. Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody” was blasting loudly throughout the halls. You could feel the excitement as kids tromped up and down the stairs with trunks, pillows, and shower shoes.

Although the pandemic put a pause on the greatly hailed tradition of dorm life, we’ve slowly moved back to regaining that custom.

However, as some students consider college options, they may feel some sort of way about colleges that require freshmen to live on campus in a bid for more perceived independence. Parents may also be considering the financial pinch that campus room and board could add to an already high tuition bill.

Although many students contemplate living off-campus, there are 3 major benefits that stand out for the on-campus living experience.

3 Benefits Of Living On Campus

#1. Cost

Of course, having your student live at home COULD reduce costs, but then you start to think about the food they’re eating, the water they’re using, the electricity bill jumping when the lights don’t get turned off.

Dorm living encompasses many costs we don’t consider like utilities, wifi, cleaning services, and garbage removal. Additionally, if your student chooses an apartment, not only will an adult need to co-sign the lease, but the student will also need to budget costs for rent, heat, gas, sewage removal, maintenance, and much more on top of the monthly rent.

Transportation costs also need to be factored in. How will your student make it back and forth to campus if they can’t roll out of bed and stroll down the sidewalk to class in their pajamas?

Beyond the room, food costs should also be factored in. Will your student cook everyday or order DoorDash at $50 a meal? Dorm food can vary and be priced for the smallest appetite to the biggest multiple-meal-a-day kiddo.

Consider comparing eating costs for your student before choosing an off-campus setting. If living on campus, review food plans to pick the one that best matches your budget and your child’s eating style.

#2. Convenience

Colleges with robust on-campus living will ensure that students have the services they need at their fingertips.

• Struggling in math? Jaunt down to the tutoring center.
• Computer broke? Go to the computer lab to finish your work.
• Hangry for flaming hot cheetos? Step out your room and hit a vending machine.

Students often take for granted all the support services they’ll need to acclimate to college life. Living on campus gives students quick access to mental health services, financial aid, academic advisors, and much more.

Residence advisors give your student a mediator for any roommate issues. In contrast, living in an apartment with a bad neighbor is much more sticky.

Also, consider safety.

Campuses often have blue emergency boxes everywhere on campus as well as security or clubs that will walk a student back to their dorm late at night. Packages and mail have locked up spots to go to keep students’ precious care packages safe from Amazon package snatchers.

These sorts of amenities are not always present in off-campus living.

#3. Community

And the most essential benefit is….COMMUNITY!

Transitioning to college can be lonely and frustrating. Living off-campus does have some benefits but is often better suited to an established upperclassman who wants to focus on getting out of college with no need to build a social network.

Countless research studies have shown that on-campus students:

• Complete more credit hours with higher grade point averages
• Stay at their initial college and complete their degree
• Demonstrate greater happiness with their undergrad experience
• Become more involved in the campus community

Living on campus gives your student the ability to do a crawl from dorm room to dorm room and interact with diverse people they may not see in a traditional apartment setting. Campuses also provide residents with a ton of social and cultural activities to engage students in the campus vibe and community.

From scavenger hunts, to museum hops, to poetry nights and Bachelorette binges, your student won’t have this much social access at any other point in their life. This is your student’s chance to keep “in the know” on campus events and trends affecting the campus community.

As many college graduates reminisce, you’ll find that many of their deep friendships were formed in the dorms over late-night pizza and those interpersonal skills they built carried on through the rest of their lives.