College is an exciting time when you have many new experiences. Many colleges have dormitories on campus. Some of them require freshmen to live in a dormitory so it takes the decision out of your hands. Otherwise, you have to decide whether to live in a dormitory or an apartment. There are pros and cons to both options. Dorm life offers many conveniences. Living in a dorm is a good way to ease the transition from living at home to becoming fully independent.
Opportunities to socialize and make friends
As a student living in a college dorm, it is easy to make new friends. You usually have to share a room and your roommate can become a friend for life. If you don’t get on with a roommate, you can always request a room change.
Some dorms offer single-living options at a higher cost. Dorms usually arrange social activities and there are also many activities on campus within walking distance. Sporting events, movie nights, club functions, and more are usually free to students.
When living in a dorm for the first time it can take a while to find a balance between your academic and social life. If you have trouble completing your assignments, access to free examples of different types of essays can help. The argumentative essays examples by StudyMoose are great sources of inspiration if you are not sure how to structure or write the main points of your paper. You can also get the help of an expert writer to create an assignment for you.
Close proximity to campus
Living in a dorm makes life more convenient for you as a college student. It is easy to access all the university resources and activities on campus. You will feel more part of college life than when living in an apartment. Living in an apartment can disconnect you from the broader college experience, especially if the commute to college is a fairly long one.
Living in a dorm means your transport costs will be less and you won’t have to find parking. You may not even need a car at all. Some colleges don’t allow freshmen to have cars for the first year. Proximity to classes means you waste less time.
Campus Involvement
If you live in a dorm, you are more likely to become involved in aspects of campus life such as sports, clubs, or student government. Involvement in extracurricular activities will give you a chance to add to your resume. You can improve your soft skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. These skills are all highly desirable in the workplace. Involvement in other activities besides academics can also offer some stress relief and make you feel more like part of a community.
Support from a Resident Advisor (RA)
Resident Advisors in dorms are there to create a welcoming and supportive environment for you. They will enforce rules such as curfews, bans on alcohol, etc. Managing conflicts and creating activities are also part of the role. As mentors, they help you to adjust to living away from home. This includes fostering a sense of community. They may help you to access academic resources and try to promote an environment conducive to learning.
Utilities included
Unlike when living in an apartment, you usually have free use of utilities like water, electricity, trash, and the internet. Some colleges charge a small fee for connecting to the internet but it is not as much as you would pay when living in an apartment. When a price is all-inclusive it is easier to know what to expect regarding costs. The rent for living in an apartment may be cheaper but you will often discover you have many unexpected expenses.
Free amenities
Dorms may cost more than living in an apartment but they often come with many perks and amenities. In a bid to attract students, colleges try to outdo one another with the amenities they offer. College dormitories often have large-screen TVs, game rooms, etc. They may even have a gym.
All the amenities can actually distract you from the purpose of college. A lazy river on campus may sound amazing but this shouldn’t be the reason for choosing a college. However, some free amenities can enhance your college experience. Less enticing amenities that could actually make a difference include health, counseling, and career services.
Fewer chores
If you purchase a meal plan you don’t have to cook or wash dishes. The college will usually have cleaning services for common areas and bathrooms so you only have to keep your room clean.
This gives you more time to establish a routine and make sure you keep up with your academic responsibilities. When living in an apartment, you may have more freedom to do what you want but it also comes with more responsibilities. You are responsible for all the cleaning and this may include outside areas.
More security
Dorms are usually designed with the safety of the students who live in them in mind. Most of them use a key card system to secure the entrance. The entrance doors are locked at set times. There are usually emergency exits in case of fire or other emergencies.
Dorms may have security cameras and campus security guards close by. Of course, this doesn’t mean you will automatically be safe from robberies, etc. You will still have to be proactive about security despite the security measures colleges take to keep you and your possessions safe.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of living in a dormitory, particularly for freshmen. It provides a good way to transition from living at home to living with full independence. When deciding between living in a dorm or an apartment, you will need to think about factors like cost, convenience, privacy, and security. The main advantage of living in an apartment is more privacy and fewer rules. However, living in a dorm is likely to be best for students who want more convenience, social activities, and involvement in college life.
