Spend Your First Year of College Living On Campus

The first year of college is a time of enormous change and transition. You are living away from home, probably for the first time, and you are living in a community of your peers, where much will be expected of you. It is a good idea to spend at least your first year on campus, where you will have access to community and all the amenities that come with going to college.

Not having to cook is a blessing during your first year in college. You will have enough to do! Being able to go to the dining hall two or three times a day rather than having to get home to make lunch and dinner will be a big advantage. The dining hall is also a good place to meet students and faculty. You will be exposed to many different types of people and you may find you can eat with people from your classes, giving you the chance to make friends outside of class.

Living in a community, which essentially is what campus is, is an opportunity to grow. Your roommate will probably be the first person you’ve shared quarters with besides your siblings, and this may prove difficult at first, or at least challenging. But if you work to develop a positive relationship, you may have a friend for life. Many people keep in touch with their college roommates for the rest of their lives.

The library is easily accessible. The library is a place you should utilize. It is a quiet place to work-away from your roommate and the craziness of campus. It is a place to read, study, write, and grab some quiet time alone. School libraries are usually centrally located on campus, so living on campus will keep you close to this important campus building.

Living on campus will keep you surrounded by other people who are having a similar experience. This gives you people to bounce things off of. You will also be near your classes, so it is less likely you will be late. And don’t be shy of the many activities offered on campus-concerts, workshops, lectures, etc. These events will enrich your college experience and expose you to new information, culture, and skills.

Many students live off-campus in their sophomore, junior, and senior years when they have grown used to being on their own, to the college environment, and they have become disciplined about getting their school work done. By this time it is not as necessary to be ensconced in the security that the campus environment offers. But for your first year, having your meals prepared for you, being surrounded by students and professors, and having at your fingertips all the activities offered on campus can dramatically improve your college experience.

Hilary Sloin is a freelance writer who authors articles on a wide variety of topics which include online degrees, college admission, online college options for part time students, and academic scholarships for adult students.