Living Off Campus – Perks & Perils
Is it possible you might outgrow residence life? Does your school provide housing only for lowerclassmen? Are you a commuter, living (with or without parents) within driving distance of campus? Do you prefer to live with your fraternity brothers or sorority sisters? Are you a non-traditional student – over 24, or married, or partially or fully employed, or living independently already? For whatever reason, it may be time to move on and move off campus.
The Perks of Living Off Campus
For many students, living off campus can be a breath of fresh air. Consider these advantages:
Increased independence and freedom of movement
Greater choice of living companions
Lower housing costs
More privacy and quiet
Control over meals and healthier nutrition options
Easier access to shopping and entertainment
Keeping a pet bigger than a goldfish
The Perils of Living Off Campus
Yes, we know you’ve heard it before: “With freedom comes responsibility.” “Animal House” notwithstanding, if you’re sharing a house with a bunch of students, or even if you live alone, it isn’t all fun and games. So what kinds of responsibilities do you need to be on top of to succeed in off-campus living?
Financial – Whether you’re individually or collectively responsible, you’ll need to exercise some wise decisions regarding paying your bills on time. If you share housing with others, you share financial obligations. If your roommate(s) aren’t pulling their weight, you will be at risk for losing your digs or paying for their share. Make sure that all housemates know when bills are due and set up a schedule. Share costs of food and amenities (such as cable, satellite, and Internet services).
Housekeeping – Okay, so maybe you’re not Mr. or Ms. Neat yourself. But in addition to keeping your digs in some reasonable state of sanitation, you’ll need to keep cleaning supplies, do laundry, and change the cat litter. If there’s more than one of you, some cooperation is needed.
Safety & security – Set some ground rules for basic security precautions. Does everyone have a key? Are you sure they’re not giving keys to people unknown to you? Are doors being locked? Do you have an emergency fire plan? Are your electrical appliances cables set up safely? You might want to take a page from the college’s residence hall policies and make sure, for example, that candles are snuffed after use and no one is smoking in bed.
Legal – You’re hosting a party. Are you sure that if one of your guests leaves, and she’s rather tipsy, that you won’t get nailed for serving alcohol to an underage person – even if you didn’t serve her? What about those dudes in the corner? Even if you don’t know them or have no knowledge of the drugs they’re using, you could be legally liable for their behavior. Is smoking banned in your house or apartment? And is the furniture in your place rented? Check your rental agreement to be sure about your liability for damages to the premises.
Time management – Since you’ll need to commute to campus, you’re more likely to be at the mercy of bus or train schedules, or if you drive, weather, traffic, and parking issues. This may cause you to be late for classes. And if you forget your materials, you can’t just pop into your residence hall to grab your stuff. The structured ResLife setting lends itself to healthier study habits. Living off campus, it may be harder for you to participate in study groups or schedule work on collaborative projects. Finally, if you’re living off-campus, you’re more likely to be working. Good time-management skills are needed to juggle work with study and domestic responsibilities.
Commuting – In addition to time management issues, if you drive, you’ll expect the cost of parking fees, fuel, and maintenance of your vehicle. And the time you spend traveling can seriously cut into time spent studying. Your school may have a commuter students’ club and even a lounge. Take advantage of these opportunities. You may even find people to carpool with.
Disconnection – Naturally, you’ll also be less likely to participate in campus events, join clubs, or use facilities. Don’t let your off-campus status disconnect you from campus life.