College Housing - Do I Have to Live in a Dorm?

College is an exciting time for students. For some it's a scary time, as it will be the first time they will be living on their own. For others, they are anticipating being on their own, having their own schedule and making their own rules (like eating cheeseburgers and fries from the dining hall every single day!).

If students plan to live away from home, many schools have housing on campus in dormitories. Others have off-campus housing, and others rent apartments. Every school is different, and in order to understand the housing situation, it's best to speak with the housing office on the college's main campus.

Many freshmen are expected to live on-campus if they aren't commuter students. Many commuter students also want that experience of living in a college dorm and will request on-campus housing. Living in a dorm will give students the opportunity to meet other students, find new friendships and network with other students who may be studying the same college major.

Other colleges don't even offer campus housing due to their smaller campus or number of students. In cases like these, many apartment communities and residences offer small apartments for college students to live on their own or in groups. College housing offices do their best to link students together to arrange living arrangements.

As students progress in their college years and become upper classmen, they will have the opportunity to live on-campus in apartments instead of dorms, or they will be able to move out on their own in housing in the area. Off-campus housing is usually not included in the cost of attending the school, and students should expect to pay rent monthly.

No matter what decision you decide to make for college housing, it's best to consult with the school's housing office for advice and guidance.

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