Study in US: Should you live on campus?

Part I: Housing advice for US-bound students
Part II: Study in US? Fill your housing preference form

Indian students going to study in US universities have an immense amount to consider before buying their plane ticket and packing their bags. For many, it will be the first time living away from home and all the security and comfort that comes with it -- no laundry, no cooking and no cleaning.

Living by oneself and in a different country, therefore, is a tremendous responsibility and should not be treated lightly. This article examines another aspect of the housing situation for those studying in the United States -- on-campus living versus off-campus living.

Depending on your university, on-campus living is most likely required for at least your first year. Some universities, however, only offer on-campus housing and do not allow students to live off-campus.

In general, public (state-funded) and larger universities feature around half the students living off-campus, while small private universities tend to encourage students to stay on-campus for the majority of their academic career.

Living off-campus will most likely not be possible for new students, but many make the change once they feel they have adjusted adequately to college life. The primary reason for this is because it is comparatively advantageous financially -- living off-campus is usually about 10-50 per cent cheaper than living on-campus.

Moreover, many students desire the greater degree of freedom that living off-campus provides. Students must only stick to their tenancy agreement and, in many places, have the option of renting an entire house and sharing it between four or five other students.

Of course, with this added freedom comes added responsibility, such as cooking and cleaning as well as paying for utilities and managing the commute to campus for classes. Also, many campus resources are only eligible for those staying on-campus, but this varies by university. All in all, this option is best suited for those who have experienced the campus lifestyle and now desire taking the next step towards independence.
 
On-campus living tends to keep one 'connected' into campus life; living in an on-campus dormitory puts the student in an intimate environment with hundreds of his or her fellow students. This promotes a sense of belonging and camaraderie that many find they miss after they've made the decision to move off-campus.

Likewise, dormitories will have RAs (Residential Assistants) and HRs (Head Residents) -- fellow students in formal positions of authority who provide assistance and ensure the dormitory is a satisfactory place to live. Furthermore, dormitories are often strategically located and provide easy access to all university buildings and resources (like campus healthcare, campus security, etc).
 
Some find this environment stifling, however, and desire a certain degree of freedom that is not available living in the dorms. Since dorm rooms are technically university property, students are subjected to room-checks and hallway patrols.

Room-checks occur every two months or so, and involve an RA or HR checking rooms to make sure that occupants are living in compliance with university policies (no microwaves, no pets, etc.); they are most often performed during breaks and holidays.

Hallways patrols, on the other hand, occur nightly at most universities, and comprise a routine inspection of the dormitory and its contained hallways. RAs most frequently do these patrols, but it is not uncommon to have campus security officers perform the checks, particularly in dorms notorious for partying and rowdy behaviour.

Furthermore, students living on campus most follow a campus code of conduct, outlined in a set of rules. Examples of these rules include the observance of specified 'quiet hours' (no loud talking/shouting and no loud music or television) and strict governing of consumption and possession of alcohol.
    
Ultimately, both on-campus and off-campus living have positives and negatives. Balancing these considerations and applying them to your particular situation is an important decision that you must make during the next few years.

While it may be tempting to push off-campus as soon as possible for monetary issues and other reasons, remember that taking the step to live independently is a huge decision and will require additional responsibility and maturity. Therefore, it is only advisable to move off-campus if you are excelling academically and are confident that your marks and social life will not be hampered by your newfound independence.

If you have any doubts, it is best to remain in the dormitories until such time that you are sure you can handle such an important transition. 

Part I: Housing advice for US-bound students
Part II: Study in US? Fill your housing preference form