Finding a place to live is just one of the steps students have to take when starting college. There are so many options to choose from that it can be overwhelming. Do you want to live on or off campus? Do you want to live in a dorm or an apartment? Do you want roommates? Would you rather be close to your classes or to dining halls and the rec?
Studies find that students that live on campus are more likely to complete more credit hours and finish every semester with a higher grade point average. They tend to be more involved in student organizations and utilize the campus resources their tuition pays for.
Some universities require freshmen to live on campus, so it’s important to check the housing rules for your school. Texas A&M University does not require first-year students to live on campus, however there are several residence halls and on-campus apartments to choose from.
So what’s right for you? Listed below are some of the most important benefits to living on campus.
You don’t have to worry about commuting
Even if you live five minutes away, you can save a lot of time and money by staying on campus. You’ve probably heard stories about college students waking up five minutes before their alarm, throwing on some clothes and making it to class on time. It’s a real thing.
You can save time on driving to campus, finding parking and walking from the parking lot to your classroom, allowing you those sweet extra minutes of sleep. You’ll save money on gas and put less mileage on your car.
If you are comfortable with it, you could even leave your car at home and save on parking costs. Most large universities partner with the cities they’re in to provide shuttle services from campus to places like grocery stores and city squares.
You can cut the stress with meal plans
If you’re not big into ramen noodles and pizza, you can avoid the stereotypical American college student diet by living on campus and having a meal plan. Meal plans can provide students the flexibility and convenience of buffet-style meals throughout the day.
Save time on cooking by stopping by a dining hall for breakfast on your way to class. Don’t worry about packing a lunch — it’s beef rigatoni day!
Most schools also offer dining halls that cater to diet restrictions, such as allergies, intolerances or religious practices.
Make sure to research the dining options at your school before signing up for a meal plan.
You might discover a student organization you didn’t know existed
As you walk across campus, you’ll see organizations of all sorts tabling or hosting events to raise money, recruit members or raise awareness. Don’t be afraid to check out the ones that might interest you. College student organizations are just as important for your resume as high school extracurriculars are for your college application — they give you an opportunity to serve in leadership positions, give back to your community, network with people with similar interests and goals and make friends.
Texas A&M has more than 1,200 on-campus organizations for students to choose from. The more you’re on campus, the more likely you are to find where you belong.
You will find 24/7 safety measures
College campuses are typically staffed with emergency personnel and security measures to help keep students safe. University Police Departments have officers patrolling 24/7 and will respond to 9-1-1 calls placed from phones on campus.
Most larger universities have a form of direct communication with students to alert them of emergencies like natural disasters or active threats. Texas A&M has Code Maroon, an SMS and email system that helps the university communicate with students quickly in case of an emergency.
Emergency phones might also be placed throughout campus so that students have 24/7 access to an emergency helpline. Dispatchers for these phones are typically able to pinpoint the location of the caller as soon as the phone is picked up.
Texas A&M also has the Corps escort service where students can receive a walk to class, their residence hall or anywhere on campus from a member of the Corps of Cadets. Students attending other universities should do research into if their college offers a similar resource.
You’ll get a better look at the full college experience
There’s a reason every college movie from the 1980’s includes a dorm scene. Students looking to get the famous “college experience” should look no further than living in a residence hall.
Colleges are constantly hosting events on campus that are free to students. You’ll find yourself attending and enjoying more on-campus events when they’re a 5-minute walk from your room. You’ll have easier access to attend sporting events and take advantage of your sports pass.
It might seem cheesy, but anyone who lived in a residence hall during college will have some great stories to tell from those days.
You’re more likely to graduate
Everyone wants to have fun while in college, but keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to get a degree and start building a career. A study from the University of Northern Iowa found that students who lived on campus for their first two years were 25% more likely to graduate than students who only lived on campus for one year. That number goes up when compared to traditional students who lived off-campus every year.
You have easier access to quiet study areas like the library, you’re more likely to attend office hours with your professors and all the resources the university provides are at your fingertips.
Whether you decide to live on or off campus, make sure you do extensive research into the options and requirements of your college and its town. Everybody is different and has unique preferences, so choose what’s best for you!
Studies find that students that live on campus are more likely to complete more credit hours and finish every semester with a higher grade point average. They tend to be more involved in student organizations and utilize the campus resources their tuition pays for.
Some universities require freshmen to live on campus, so it’s important to check the housing rules for your school. Texas A&M University does not require first-year students to live on campus, however there are several residence halls and on-campus apartments to choose from.
So what’s right for you? Listed below are some of the most important benefits to living on campus.
You don’t have to worry about commuting
Even if you live five minutes away, you can save a lot of time and money by staying on campus. You’ve probably heard stories about college students waking up five minutes before their alarm, throwing on some clothes and making it to class on time. It’s a real thing.
You can save time on driving to campus, finding parking and walking from the parking lot to your classroom, allowing you those sweet extra minutes of sleep. You’ll save money on gas and put less mileage on your car.
If you are comfortable with it, you could even leave your car at home and save on parking costs. Most large universities partner with the cities they’re in to provide shuttle services from campus to places like grocery stores and city squares.
You can cut the stress with meal plans
If you’re not big into ramen noodles and pizza, you can avoid the stereotypical American college student diet by living on campus and having a meal plan. Meal plans can provide students the flexibility and convenience of buffet-style meals throughout the day.
Save time on cooking by stopping by a dining hall for breakfast on your way to class. Don’t worry about packing a lunch — it’s beef rigatoni day!
Most schools also offer dining halls that cater to diet restrictions, such as allergies, intolerances or religious practices.
Make sure to research the dining options at your school before signing up for a meal plan.
You might discover a student organization you didn’t know existed
As you walk across campus, you’ll see organizations of all sorts tabling or hosting events to raise money, recruit members or raise awareness. Don’t be afraid to check out the ones that might interest you. College student organizations are just as important for your resume as high school extracurriculars are for your college application — they give you an opportunity to serve in leadership positions, give back to your community, network with people with similar interests and goals and make friends.
Texas A&M has more than 1,200 on-campus organizations for students to choose from. The more you’re on campus, the more likely you are to find where you belong.
You will find 24/7 safety measures
College campuses are typically staffed with emergency personnel and security measures to help keep students safe. University Police Departments have officers patrolling 24/7 and will respond to 9-1-1 calls placed from phones on campus.
Most larger universities have a form of direct communication with students to alert them of emergencies like natural disasters or active threats. Texas A&M has Code Maroon, an SMS and email system that helps the university communicate with students quickly in case of an emergency.
Emergency phones might also be placed throughout campus so that students have 24/7 access to an emergency helpline. Dispatchers for these phones are typically able to pinpoint the location of the caller as soon as the phone is picked up.
Texas A&M also has the Corps escort service where students can receive a walk to class, their residence hall or anywhere on campus from a member of the Corps of Cadets. Students attending other universities should do research into if their college offers a similar resource.
You’ll get a better look at the full college experience
There’s a reason every college movie from the 1980’s includes a dorm scene. Students looking to get the famous “college experience” should look no further than living in a residence hall.
Colleges are constantly hosting events on campus that are free to students. You’ll find yourself attending and enjoying more on-campus events when they’re a 5-minute walk from your room. You’ll have easier access to attend sporting events and take advantage of your sports pass.
It might seem cheesy, but anyone who lived in a residence hall during college will have some great stories to tell from those days.
You’re more likely to graduate
Everyone wants to have fun while in college, but keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to get a degree and start building a career. A study from the University of Northern Iowa found that students who lived on campus for their first two years were 25% more likely to graduate than students who only lived on campus for one year. That number goes up when compared to traditional students who lived off-campus every year.
You have easier access to quiet study areas like the library, you’re more likely to attend office hours with your professors and all the resources the university provides are at your fingertips.
Whether you decide to live on or off campus, make sure you do extensive research into the options and requirements of your college and its town. Everybody is different and has unique preferences, so choose what’s best for you!