Graduation Guide

Though there are a variety of difficult decisions to make when heading off to college, choosing where you are going to live may be possibly one of the hardest and most vital. Many colleges actually require that you live on campus in a dormitory your first year of college. If you’re living in an on-campus dormitory and thinking about moving to an off-campus apartment there are a variety of things to think about. A great deal of difference can be seen when making the change from campus living to apartment living. Apartment living can many times require much more responsibility, and some students find that it can be too much to handle with a full class load and other errands. Here are some main differences from campus living to apartment living:

COST OF LIVING: Considering the cost of living between campus living and apartment living should be a first step when deciding to live off campus. Depending on the college, some dormitories may be more or less expensive than certain apartments. Sometimes an apartment will only appear less expensive than a dorm room. When living in an apartment there are a variety of other costs to consider besides the basic rent. Utilities are one high expense that must be considered along with a monthly cost of food, furniture, the extra cost of a year long lease, commute costs, and even parking. All of these costs must be factored into the total cost and compared with the price of living on campus.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Apartment living certainly requires a great deal more accountability and discipline than campus living does. No longer will there be dining halls to quickly serve you your meals. Instead, you’ll have to cook on occasion, or find various other inexpensive ways to eat. Bills such as rent and utilities must be paid on time on a monthly basis; otherwise your credit could be in jeopardy. Cleaning, buying groceries, dealing with roommates, and creating a budget will all be part of your monthly routine.

COMMUTE: Unfortunately, moving off campus means that transportation to and from class becomes a little more difficult. Some colleges or cities may have their own public transportation which can be beneficial, but may cost extra money. Having a car on campus also brings up the issue of parking. Many colleges will require some sort of parking permit to park on campus, and space may be fairly limited depending on the size of the school. Biking is always a fresh alternative to owning a car or using public transportation.

ENTERTAINMENT: Finally, entertainment can sometimes become an issue when living off campus. On-campus life tends to breed some sort of entertainment almost all the time. When living off campus entertainment can sometimes be a little more difficult to find on a daily basis.