Going off to college as a freshman can be an exciting time. It’s your first time away from home, and you’re an adult now. There are lots of choices to be made, and the time has also come to begin making independent decisions. One of the first major decisions you will be faced with even before setting foot on campus is where you want to live.
These days, there are numerous choices. You can live on campus in a dormitory or residence hall. There are also many schools that have on-campus apartment complexes. Often times, freshmen will choose to live on-campus for their first year. However, you will likely have the option of living in an apartment or rental housing off campus. Here are some tips that may make choosing a freshman dormitory or rental easier.
Location
Location is important. Often on college campuses, various majors are housed in the same classroom building. So if you are a science major, you may wish to choose housing near the science building where the majority of your classes will be held. Also take into consideration the location of common buildings such as dining halls and the student union. If you are thinking of living off campus, you will want to take transportation needs into account.
Amenities and Physical Condition
Colleges and universities offer a wide variety of living accommodations. While factors such as budget play a big factor in your ultimate choice, you do want to take time to look at the options available to you and pick out the most important features in a living space. For example, do you want a roommate or maybe even two? Perhaps you’d like to live alone. Is the idea of a quaint residence hall with traditional architecture appealing to you or would you rather live in a modern-style apartment with a variety of amenities?
Roommate
If you do opt for a roommate, your university will likely send you a questionnaire in order to match for preferences. Fill it out as thoroughly as possible so that you have a better chance of getting matched with someone who shares your lifestyle. Get in touch before classes begin to determine what each of you will bring, as space is usually limited.
Themed or Lifestyle Housing
Themed housing is a residence hall or apartment building in which students live based on a common theme or interest. Themed housing can be based on academic major, hobby or interest. These living situations are designed to promote bonding among peers and the creation of a cohort.
Lifestyle housing is made up of living accommodations designed around the shared philosophies, value systems or backgrounds of a group of students. Examples of lifestyle housing options include wellness or substance-free living, quiet floors for studying, married housing or gender-neutral living where both men and women can live together on the same floor.
These are a few tips for choosing a freshman dormitory. Shared living is a valuable learning
