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Is it better to live in a dorm or rent an apartment in college?
What are the pros and cons of each and how does it affect your everyday life? #college #university #college-major #college-advice #dorm #cost
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Laeki’s Answer
Hi Alex!
I stayed in a dorm for only one year and the rest of the time, I stayed in an apartment. As I look back, I wish I had stayed in the dorm at least one more year. It was actually nice to live in the dorm because I had personal freedom but I still had people who looked over me. I was taught a lot of important life skills, like washing clothes, selecting nutritional foods to eat, time management, etc. I made lifetime friends in the dorm that showed me genuine love and fellowship. I am an only child so that meant a lot.
I also enjoyed living in an apartment because it taught me independence and everything that is related to independence. It also taught me the purpose of responsibility. However, if I had to make a choice, I honestly would have lived in the dorm a little while longer, allowing me time to be a tad bit more mature.
I stayed in a dorm for only one year and the rest of the time, I stayed in an apartment. As I look back, I wish I had stayed in the dorm at least one more year. It was actually nice to live in the dorm because I had personal freedom but I still had people who looked over me. I was taught a lot of important life skills, like washing clothes, selecting nutritional foods to eat, time management, etc. I made lifetime friends in the dorm that showed me genuine love and fellowship. I am an only child so that meant a lot.
I also enjoyed living in an apartment because it taught me independence and everything that is related to independence. It also taught me the purpose of responsibility. However, if I had to make a choice, I honestly would have lived in the dorm a little while longer, allowing me time to be a tad bit more mature.
Updated
Angelina’s Answer
Hi Alex!
I've experienced both and honestly, I think both have their pros and cons and I think that everybody should experience both. I think you should live in the dorms for at least your freshman year. It's easier to meet people and make friends with the people on your floor. I feel like you make most of your dumb college memories your freshman year. It's also convenient to eat at a dining hall because you don't need to worry about cooking, however, the food isn't always the best. It's also convenient because it's close to all your classes, so you don't have to worry about commuting. It can also be more expensive to live in the dorms because colleges want your money. You also will have to share a communal bathroom, and that can get a little gross.
Living off-campus is definitely nice because you have a lot more freedom and independence. It's even nicer if you have a car too. However, there is a lot of adulting involved with living off-campus, such as figuring out how to pay rent and bills. I think for me, the biggest adulting challenge was cooking for myself. You have to go grocery shopping and buy foods that you want to eat, but also are kinda healthy. Then, you have to prep the food before you cook. Then, it's the actual cooking, assuming you have decent cooking skills (if you don't, learn asap!). After that, you have to clean and wash all the dishes. You would think that's all, but you're constantly thinking about what your next meal will be because if you're defrosting meat, you'll have to take that out a few hours in advance.
Basically, I would say live in the dorms for at least your first year to get that freshman college experience, but definitely try to live off-campus because it will prepare you for adulting. The dorm life is convenient, but living off-campus teaches you independence and responsibility.
I've experienced both and honestly, I think both have their pros and cons and I think that everybody should experience both. I think you should live in the dorms for at least your freshman year. It's easier to meet people and make friends with the people on your floor. I feel like you make most of your dumb college memories your freshman year. It's also convenient to eat at a dining hall because you don't need to worry about cooking, however, the food isn't always the best. It's also convenient because it's close to all your classes, so you don't have to worry about commuting. It can also be more expensive to live in the dorms because colleges want your money. You also will have to share a communal bathroom, and that can get a little gross.
Living off-campus is definitely nice because you have a lot more freedom and independence. It's even nicer if you have a car too. However, there is a lot of adulting involved with living off-campus, such as figuring out how to pay rent and bills. I think for me, the biggest adulting challenge was cooking for myself. You have to go grocery shopping and buy foods that you want to eat, but also are kinda healthy. Then, you have to prep the food before you cook. Then, it's the actual cooking, assuming you have decent cooking skills (if you don't, learn asap!). After that, you have to clean and wash all the dishes. You would think that's all, but you're constantly thinking about what your next meal will be because if you're defrosting meat, you'll have to take that out a few hours in advance.
Basically, I would say live in the dorms for at least your first year to get that freshman college experience, but definitely try to live off-campus because it will prepare you for adulting. The dorm life is convenient, but living off-campus teaches you independence and responsibility.
Updated
Francisco’s Answer
Hi Alex,
From my perspective both are good options depending on what you are looking for. Dorms on one side are small rooms you will have to share with 1 to 3 people depending on the dorm design. You won't have a lot of privacy and you will have to share space, facilities, and also you will have to use a common laundry room and other utilities. An apartment might be a bit more expensive, but you are more likely to have more room, even your own room, and have more freedom to pick who you are sharing with, since in dorms is mostly assigned by the university. Overall, it depends on your personal preferences and ability to pay the school fees or the rent.
Hope this helps!
From my perspective both are good options depending on what you are looking for. Dorms on one side are small rooms you will have to share with 1 to 3 people depending on the dorm design. You won't have a lot of privacy and you will have to share space, facilities, and also you will have to use a common laundry room and other utilities. An apartment might be a bit more expensive, but you are more likely to have more room, even your own room, and have more freedom to pick who you are sharing with, since in dorms is mostly assigned by the university. Overall, it depends on your personal preferences and ability to pay the school fees or the rent.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
There is absolutely value to both. If you have the means to do so, you should absolutely live on campus, at least for a semester or year at the beginning of the college experience. Living in housing with fellow students presents you with so many opportunities to form long lasting friendships as well as the ability to take advantage of more spontaneous opportunities (study sessions, rehearsals, group trips) that can help cement longterm friendships/relationships with other scholars, who in the long run may be networking resources for you down the line.
College is an opportunity to form transformational relationships and any opportunity to take advantage of that is worth doing, again, if you have the means and resources to do so.
College is an opportunity to form transformational relationships and any opportunity to take advantage of that is worth doing, again, if you have the means and resources to do so.
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