5 Tips to Make Student Community Living a Great Experience

Living in a student community can turn out to be the best experience you ever had. Not only do you enjoy more independence compared to living on campus but also learn how to become a responsible adult by managing your bills and everything around you.

From noisy neighbors to anti-social behaviors, you are certainly going to experience some of these things when living in a student community. But depending on how you choose to handle them, you will love the entire experience. Here are some key things to note when living in a student community. 

Be a good neighbor

There’s nothing wrong with saying hello to your neighbors when you meet them outside. Create these social relationships with people around you because you never know when you’ll need them. Make an effort to become part of the community in which you live by taking part in certain activities that help you to know your neighbors better.

Plan your apartment well

Consider the way you organize your room or house so that you don’t cause any disturbance unknowingly. For instance, you may want to position your TV away from the walls because noise travels easily along walls. If you have noisy neighbors, then you’ll want to keep your doors and windows closed at all times and also avoid adjoined rooms.

Notify your neighbors when planning a party

It is common courtesy to have your neighbors know that you are planning on throwing a party. Let them know in advance when you are planning to start the party and also at what time it’s likely to end. Avoid noisy equipment that will cause disturbance and advertise your party only to your group of friends unless you want to end up with more guests than you expected. Most importantly, avoid throwing parties on weeknights for your neighbor’s sake.

Clean up your mess

Don’t get into the habit of leaving a mess outside your house especially after parties. Remember that it’s a student community and everyone has a responsibility to maintain a hygienic environment. Get rid of trash and keep your environment clean.

Keep your car at home

University parking can be pretty expensive and you may not need a car if you live close to campus. Don’t bring a car if you study in a heavily congested city because it will be a great inconvenience to you. It may be a lot cheaper to use public transport and you will also be contributing to a cleaner and greener environment.

The best way to enjoy your experience off-campus is to make wise choices and take measures to protect yourself at all times. When you get into your apartment, lock your doors and windows before you go to bed. Get a house that is comfortable and offers maintenance when needed. Interact with your neighbors because there is a lot that you can learn from them about living in the community. Most importantly, take your time to enjoy the whole experience because time flies and you’ll soon be out of college.

Posted By: Hayden Commons http://haydencommons.net

Myths About University Housing

Deciding to live on or off campus is one of the biggest decisions that students have to make when they are first starting out at college. Unfortunately, all of the misinformation and hearsay can cloud your decision-making process, especially if it isn't based on truth. There is a reason why, year after year, more students choose university housing over any other type of living arrangements when it is time to go back to school. It isn't anything at all like the myths you may have heard.

It's Too Expensive To Live On Campus

This is simply not true. The truth of the matter is that the cost of university housing is very affordable, particularly when compared to living arrangements off campus. In addition, and unlike off-campus living arrangements, students have numerous options available to help them afford the cost of living on campus, similar to the options available to aid in the cost of tuition and fees. Students can use virtually all forms of financial aid- including grants, loans, and scholarships- to help pay for on campus living.

It's Not Safe To Live On Campus

This is also false. The truth is living in university housing is just as safe, if not safer, than walking the campus during the day. In light of the inherent dangers that are likely to occur with students living on campus, schools take extra precautions to make sure that students living on campus are kept safe from inside as well as outside threats, including having on-campus security available. In addition, students are typically given instructions and recommendations on best safety practices and given information on the appropriate steps to take and who to contact if they are concerned. This community mentality is what makes living on campus a safe option.

There Are Too Many Distractions On Campus

Again, this is simply not true. In fact, students who live in university housing are found to be more focused on their studies than students who commute to school. According to the American Council on Education (ACE), students who live on campus earn a higher grade point average than their off-campus counterparts. They are also said to have higher self confidence, retention rates, graduation rates, and satisfaction with the college/university that they are attending.

On-Campus Housing Has Too Many Rules

Perhaps one of the biggest myths about university housing is that students believe there are too many rules, which will then hamper their college experience. While there are some rules in place, primarily to ensure the safety of everyone on campus, students who live on campus are able to enjoy their freedom without ever feeling stifled. The point of the experience is to learn and explore, and the universities work hard to ensure that both are accomplished.

Posted By: Hayden Commons  http://haydencommons.net