Each year, upperclassmen face the critical choice of housing: apartment or dorm? Certainly each living environment has its pros and cons, but often creating a list of these aspects muddies the decision for students with too many factors to consider at one time. Perhaps a better way of thinking about housing would be to consider which environment best fits the student’s lifestyle; is the student happier in a social, communal environment or a more independent set up?
Students who prefer a social setting would probably find dorm life to be most appealing. With communal living, the student has the advantage of meeting and living with a variety of other people, often many of whom the student has never met before. This presents the advantage of having a lot of different friendships and connections on campus from the living environment alone without having to be actively involved in other campus activities. Other advantages of dorm life include access to all essential amenities, maintenance sponsored by the university and the convenience of their location on campus.
Drawbacks students should consider with regards to dorm life include less independence, university supervision (by resident assistants, building managers etc.) and the need to recognize and respect other members of the hall in the dorm.
Students who identify themselves as enjoying independence would likely prefer apartment living. Owning or leasing the apartment gives the student the opportunity to have their own room in addition to communal spaces shared by two to three other individuals, as opposed to an entire hall. Apartment residents have much greater control over their surroundings in terms of aesthetics of the living space, as well as food. Many residents choose not to invest in a meal plan, and instead purchase their own groceries and cook in their apartment kitchen.
Drawbacks of apartment living include taking complete ownership over utilities and maintenance and living farther from the campus itself, sometimes requiring alternate transportation to get to and from the university.
So which style of living is best? It truly depends on the lifestyle preferences and needs of the individual. While some consider cost as a factor in their decision, it should be noted that, on paper, apartment living is generally cheaper than on-campus housing; additional costs, including transportation, maintenance and groceries, will accumulate, whereas dorm living (plus meal plan) includes all costs necessary for the semester.
Students may also want to consider their personal life and schedules when making their housing decision; those who tend to sleep in late might not want to live in an off-campus apartment when trying to make an 8 a.m. class. Students who enjoy quiet study/alone time might not want to live in a dorm environment where they have little control over their surrounding room/suite/hall mates’ actions.
In summary, students should reflect on their living preferences when considering their housing options in order to select the best place of residence for their individual needs.
