University students must make numerous choices while in school, including which classes to take, what to study, and which events and extracurricular activities to participate in if students are enrolled in a school. They must also choose a new residence far from their previous neighborhood. When making this choice, undergraduates must consider the differences between living on and off campus. Cost, comfort, convenience, and security differ between these two types of settlement.
First, one of the most important factors is the price difference between on-campus and off-campus housing. For example, the government strictly regulates the prices of goods and services on college campuses, making it impossible to negotiate prices as opposed to off-campus housing, where the rent is variable depending on the number of occupants and the location of the residence. In addition to the high cost of living on campus, students are frequently required to purchase an expensive meal plan due to the quantity and quality of the food offered. In contrast, students living off campus can purchase and eat the food they desire. Many ingredients for a healthy meal are available from off-campus vendors for much less money and in greater quantity and quality (Demiris, Tiffany, and Chad Seifried).
Second, the comfort level varies depending on whether one resides on or off campus. Especially for those with extremely hectic schedules, university housing can be incredibly convenient. All university housing is conveniently located on campus, allowing students to walk quickly to class. Students with a packed schedule and limited time between classes will find this incredibly convenient (Nick et al., 189-205). This proximity to the university enables these students to return home for a quick nap or snack throughout the day. In addition, it enables students with the undesirable habit of sleeping through their alarms to still arrive at class on time and be prepared for the day.
Additionally, living on campus eliminates the hassle and expense of arranging utilities such as internet and electricity. The housing association takes care of these familiar sources of stress for many off-campus students, but this convenient service does come at a cost (Demiris, Tiffany, and Chad Seifried). The students who stay off campus have to face all the costs and bills around these amenities on their own, making their educational cost rise.
The lifestyle of students who live off campus is significantly less convenient. Depending on how far away each student lives, they may be required to wake up much earlier and devote most of their day to commuting to class. If they live outside the bus service area, this can become a significant problem (Nick et al., 189-205). In addition to driving or carpooling to school, students must now find a safe and legal place to park their vehicles. It may appear to be a simple task, but finding parking near campus is nearly impossible. If they can find parking, it is often a long distance from campus and prohibitively expensive to park there all day. The parking cost comes back to the students as an expense. Students who are supposed to commute will also have to cater for these costs.
Students who live off-campus are responsible for activating their utilities and maintaining a clean home regularly. That means they will have to spend part of their time ensuring that they are attending to their environment, like their fellows in school whose environment is under the care of the employed staff (Demiris, Tiffany, and Chad Seifried). Taking care of their environment will mean reducing the time frame for their studies.
Lastly, these two distinct lifestyles afford varying degrees of privacy. Students on campus typically have less privacy due to the high population density. Many students on campus reside in small sleeping pods that they share with another person. Often, dorm roommates are paired with little prior knowledge of one another and are crammed into a small space with no personal space or time to get to know one Revington (Nick et al., 189-205). Due to this, many roommates can quickly get into arguments and are forced to tolerate living so closely together. In addition to having less personal space, these students share common facilities such as lounges, bathrooms, and dining areas. Living off-campus provides significantly more solitude and privacy. They typically have their bedroom and, if fortunate, their bathroom. That allows for much-needed personal time, especially if roommates get into an argument or have a falling out; private rooms provide space for both individuals to be alone and calm down.
In conclusion, living off campus differs from living on campus in numerous ways. Off-campus students typically spend less and enjoy greater privacy, while on-campus students may have more conveniences and amenities. Students choosing between these two housing types must prioritize cost, convenience, and privacy when determining where to live.
Works Cited
Demiris, Tiffany, and Chad Seifried. “A Historical Study of the Path from Off-Campus to On-Campus Stadia: Stakeholders, Resources, and Contexts.” Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics (2022).
Revington, Nick, et al. “The urban dormitory: Planning, studentification, and the construction of an off-campus student housing market.” International Planning Studies 25.2 (2020): 189-205.
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