Living in an off-campus community can be so much fun. It
gives you an opportunity to embrace the whole college experience and still
maintain your privacy. While it’s not the same as staying in a residence hall
in campus, you still have plenty of opportunities to meet new people and enjoy
certain school activities. Here are some tips to enjoy living in a student
housing community and take full advantage of its benefits.
Study the available options
You don’t have to settle for the first housing community you
come across without looking for other options. There are certainly communities
that have a reputation for certain things so it’s wise to check with the older
students and get an idea of what people think about certain neighborhoods.
Consider the space when moving with items
You need to consider the things you are going to move with
based on the space that is available. Even though most of these housing
communities are designed to be spacious, some of them may be really small.
Check out the space before you start moving items to avoid creating clutter in
your new found home.
Know your surroundings
Get to know what’s happening around you soon after you move
in. If possible, visit the place and decide whether the environment is good
enough for you. Is it close to school? How about any recreational facilities
you’ll need to access while in campus? A community that is very far from school
and slightly isolated from many areas may not be a suitable place for you to live
in if you are still new.
Know the rules
Rules are certainly everywhere whether you live in a
residency hall or off campus. At the end of the day, these rules are meant to
protect you and every other student while making sure everyone has a good stay.
If you end up violating any of the rules, you might be evicted from the house.
Confirm with the landlord about the policies and procedures that all students
must follow.
Get a roommate
Getting a roommate is not only a nice way of cutting back on
expenses but may also be great for company. But you’ll need to find a good
roommate if you expect everything to run smoothly. Work out how you are going
to handle things like chores so that living together doesn’t become a problem
for any of you.
Be patient
It’s very important to be patient especially when living
with a roommate. If you have issues regarding their habits, talk to them in a
calm manner and try to understand issues from their point of view. If things
get way out of hand, you may want to consider looking for a different place to
stay.
Most importantly, take all the necessary measures to stay
safe while living off campus. Always keep your doors locked and don’t give your
keys to just anyone. Do not travel alone during night hours and check with the
student housing community management for further security advice.
