Why College Freshmen Should Live on Campus
When choosing a school to attend and comparing cost with financial aid packages, housing plays a big factor! Whether off-campus or on-campus, room and board can be expensive and a large part of the financial fit. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision - but in general, I highly recommend that freshmen live on campus in official university housing.
Heed the Research
If freshmen live on campus, research has shown that on average, they get better grades and are more likely to graduate. There have been multiple studies that found evidence to prove better academic performance and persistence to graduation and has become standard data in higher education. This is because students who live on campus have better access to resources and therefore are more likely to use them; they build strong social connections with peers; and feel as though they are part of a community. Research has also found the strong association between campus involvement and not dropping out of school.
Be More Connected to Campus
Living on campus provides students with endless opportunities every day, including sporting events, art shows, presentations and lectures, and social events. It is pretty standard for there to always be something happening on campus or in the residence halls, allowing students to engage with their new community. Like the research shows - the more engaged a student is on campus, the more likely they are to remain committed to school.
Eliminate the Commute
Commuting to campus requires time, energy, and money. Driving to campus every day for classes costs money for gas and most likely a parking permit to park on campus. It takes additional time to drive through traffic and to find an open parking spot compared to the convenience of walking across campus to class. In addition, as motivation falls throughout the semester, it can be challenging for students to convince themselves to get in the car and drive themselves to class!
Grow Socially
College dorms have built-in ways to make friends and meet new people. Residence Assistants (RAs), sometimes known by other names like Residential Counselor, are current students that somewhat oversee wings or halls and help younger students acclimate to college life. As part of their role, they often host dorm events to create community and help students to branch out. Living on campus is the easy way to make friends when starting college!
Feel More Secure
On-campus dorms typically require keycard access to enter, even during the day, and have an attendant at the front lobby. At night, they might have even more added security. These features are beneficial for students (and parents!) as they feel safer in their own home environment as opposed to an off-campus apartment. Living on campus - usually closer to the library and other on-campus resources - allows students to walk back to their dorm and usually feel safer with campus police and security nearby.
The Caveat
Living on campus isn’t for everyone. I am Team Dorm, but I do recognize that there are scenarios where living off campus or at home might be best. It’s a big decision but for the majority of students, on-campus really is the best fit! Working with your counselor or consultant to determine the best option for your student is helpful as they can help you understand the pros and cons of both options for your family’s specific situation.