Do’s and Don’ts When Living Off Campus in College
on June 27th, 2013 in Apartments, Every Day Tips
Living in dorms on campus is convenient, but many students would prefer living off campus in college. Living off campus has numerous benefits and can also be a rewarding experience. Following these simple do’s and don’ts of living off campus in college apartments will help you get the most out of your college experience.
Do: Take Advantage of Having a Kitchen
One of the best things about living off campus is having your own space to make your own food. If you lived in the dorms, you probably had some form of a meal plan. If you don’t know how to cook, grab a cookbook and let your kitchen be a learning sanctuary. If you have cooking skills show them off to your roommates. Having a kitchen gives you room to experiment on learning how to cook new dishes or further perfect a recipe. By using your kitchen, you can also save money, because you’re not eating out.
Don’t: Live Very Far From Campus
The further you live from campus, the more dilemmas you run into. It’s just that simple. For instance, you might be assigned a group project in your Chemistry class that requires you to meet with your group outside of class, on campus. This can be especially inconvenient for you if you have to drive far to get to campus. To make matters worse, traffic and accidents can make your ride either way a living inferno. If you think there is any chance that you could be late to class because of where you live, it will happen. College apartments that are walking distance or biking distance from campus are ideal.
Do: Pay Your Rent On Time!
This one may seem a bit obvious, but you would be surprised how many people miss this. Different college apartment complexes may have different leases and requirements to follow, but one thing that is consistent, is the steady rent payments that are due. It is pretty standard for rent to be due on the first of the month and taking care of it on time is important. If you don’t pay it, you are subject to late fees, which are no fun. Late fees shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Don’t: Be That Roommate Who Doesn’t Do Chores
Living off campus means you probably have more responsibilities than you did if you lived on campus in the dorms. Most of your responsibilities are clearly labeled in the lease you signed, but you are also liable for being a good roommate. Though getting along with your roommates is not always in the cards, having a responsibility to do chores is. These responsibilities are best established by meeting with your roommates upon move in. Chores can range from washing the dishes, taking out the trash, or even shopping for supplies. Whether your relationship is strong with your roommates or not, being that guy or girl who doesn’t take an active and fair role with chores can disturb the peace. So take care of your tasks and living off campus should be a cakewalk.
Do: Take Advantage of Having a Kitchen
One of the best things about living off campus is having your own space to make your own food. If you lived in the dorms, you probably had some form of a meal plan. If you don’t know how to cook, grab a cookbook and let your kitchen be a learning sanctuary. If you have cooking skills show them off to your roommates. Having a kitchen gives you room to experiment on learning how to cook new dishes or further perfect a recipe. By using your kitchen, you can also save money, because you’re not eating out.
Don’t: Live Very Far From Campus
The further you live from campus, the more dilemmas you run into. It’s just that simple. For instance, you might be assigned a group project in your Chemistry class that requires you to meet with your group outside of class, on campus. This can be especially inconvenient for you if you have to drive far to get to campus. To make matters worse, traffic and accidents can make your ride either way a living inferno. If you think there is any chance that you could be late to class because of where you live, it will happen. College apartments that are walking distance or biking distance from campus are ideal.
Do: Pay Your Rent On Time!
This one may seem a bit obvious, but you would be surprised how many people miss this. Different college apartment complexes may have different leases and requirements to follow, but one thing that is consistent, is the steady rent payments that are due. It is pretty standard for rent to be due on the first of the month and taking care of it on time is important. If you don’t pay it, you are subject to late fees, which are no fun. Late fees shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Don’t: Be That Roommate Who Doesn’t Do Chores
Living off campus means you probably have more responsibilities than you did if you lived on campus in the dorms. Most of your responsibilities are clearly labeled in the lease you signed, but you are also liable for being a good roommate. Though getting along with your roommates is not always in the cards, having a responsibility to do chores is. These responsibilities are best established by meeting with your roommates upon move in. Chores can range from washing the dishes, taking out the trash, or even shopping for supplies. Whether your relationship is strong with your roommates or not, being that guy or girl who doesn’t take an active and fair role with chores can disturb the peace. So take care of your tasks and living off campus should be a cakewalk.
