Although only a few colleges have enough room for all their students to live on campus, many first-year students get the opportunity to do that. On-campus life allows freshmen to adjust to a new lifestyle and environment quickly and effortlessly. A campus environment can provide many benefits to students who need a bit more time to settle in and explore the college, proving quite beneficial. But what are some other benefits that students can discover? Let’s see.
Better Social Life
Students living on campus enjoy a better social life than those who don’t. Not only do you live with roommates, but also with other students due to the proximity of the living spaces. On top of that, dorms are close to school grounds, making it easier to attend events and connect with other people.
Interestingly, some colleges have suite-style residences that differ from traditional dorms. Living-learning communities also offer a different living experience but with the same social factor. The newfound environment typically allows students to form special bonds that enrich their social life.
Living on campus is also enhanced through a campus M app, which allows individuals to stay in the loop with new activities and seminars and connect with professors, TAs, and other students.
No Commute
College cities are typically commuting nightmares due to the number of people living there. So, why would you impose that stress and additional cost on yourself? Moreover, first-year students are naturally anxious when entering a new environment, and adding an off-campus living situation to the mix could only contribute to the pressure.
Living on campus saves students time, leaving them with more opportunities to study, meet new people, and get to know the campus and school protocols.
Enhanced Savings
Living on-campus saves students money due to lower living costs and built-in meal plans. Moreover, you won’t have to pay for transportation, and you’ll save on utilities. Some campuses offer part-time jobs for their students, while others provide financial aid.
Such opportunities allow students to put aside money for rainy days or even treat themselves to an additional class, trip, shopping spree, or similar. For example, Zing is a wellness online course site where students can plan their next adventure.
Increased Student Safety
Another huge advantage of living the campus life is the security personnel employed by every college. Worrying about your safety is normal, and many students, especially those who have never lived away from home, are concerned about it. Luckily, college security is a must, and they do their job preventing possible misconduct and responding to emergencies promptly. You can read more about it here.
Security personnel usually stroll around campus, mostly around academic buildings, residence halls, and other on-campus facilities. Their job also includes keeping students safe at parties, social gatherings, sports events, and similar. Some colleges provide shuttle services for students who prefer not to walk alone at night, further increasing security.
Regular Support
First-year students need regular support, although many of them have a hard time admitting it. The transition from high school to college is significant and challenging. On top of that, many students leave their comfort zones and homes, some even moving across the country. These issues and many others can create an unfavorable environment for students. That’s why it is necessary to have support.
Luckily, many campuses organize resident advisors (RAs) who help first-year students transition effortlessly while taking care of their mental health. RAs typically live on campus and have
on-call shifts taking turns in helping freshmen adjust.
Regular support makes students feel valued and cared for while making the shift less intimidating. And since many RAs hang out in residence halls, students can meet other people who might feel the same way. This is an excellent opportunity to bond with someone and get to know your classmates.
