Once one becomes a senior, life at NIU and DeKalb does not offer many new and exciting experiences that make one stop and take notice. Graduation is about the only thing that comes close because it is simply the end.

But for those who still have some time to put in, many more aspects of college remain at this time of year.

Usually, the spring semester offers a bit more stability than the one before it. Most students have adjusted to their living quarters, and freshmen have probably figured out enough to survive at least one year in a different zip code. But with the soon-to-be-inevitable change of weather comes one of the biggest decisions students annually have to make: where to live next year.

I’ve taken what many consider the normal route in my four years. I spent my first two years in the dorms before spending the last two in apartments. That’s ended up being two dorm rooms, four apartments (I’ve had the pleasure of subletting the last two summers) and plenty of packing and unpacking.

Some people decide to spend four years in or return to the dorms because they don’t want the hassle or the responsibility of dealing with an apartment or house. Others decide to leave the dorms simply for a change of pace. Then, another group—and I’ve found this to be a majority at NIU—move out of the dorms because they cannot fathom spending another year there.

If we were playing “Let’s Make A Deal” right now, I’d have to pick door No. 2 as my reason for moving out of the dorms. I probably could have accepted four years in the dorms, but two guys I had known from my floor offered me a spot in their apartment. I was still deciding whether or not to transfer to Marquette, and this was one swaying factor.

I wasn’t counting the days until dorm life was over because I did enjoy those two years. My only problem with the dorms was the policy of kicking people out during vacations. As one of those rare students who likes living in DeKalb, I never appreciated being told I had to leave instead of making my own decision. Living in an apartment gives me that opportunity.

Now that I’ve lived in an apartment since May 1986, I’ve encountered many other advantages to apartment life. These situations never bothered me very much in the dorms, though. For example, I hate eating lunch as my first meal, so I always had to make sure on weekends that I made it to the cafeteria by 9:50 a.m. for breakfast. Breakfast at noon? Now it’s possible.

I always remember some weeks when it seemed the cafeteria cooks were out to get you, but now my fate is in my own hands. I don’t mind cooking either. Speaking of food, I no longer have to wait in line forever if I really want to cook a nice meal. Plus, I don’t have to state name, rank and serial number when I enter my kitchen or try to return to my apartment after 11 p.m.

But for those of you who think apartment or house living will be a cure-all for every problem, it might help to take another look. In the dorms, I rarely had to cook or wash dishes. A reminder to all dormies is that you don’t have to clean the bathroom now, and you only have one room to dust and vaccuum, too.

It also might be the appropriate time to treasure the good moments you’ve had with your friends before making them your apartment roomates. When it comes time to keeping up the apartment and paying bills, those buddies might not be so friendly.

Have you ever had a roommate that likes to initial eggs so that the food bill comes out totally even? Hopefully, you won’t argue about who should pay the extra pennies in the bills, either. And be sure your landlord knows how to shovel sidewalks and get rid of roaches. Luckily, I’ve had only a few of these problems.

But when it comes right down to it, I prefer apartments. I feel more at home there instead of a temporary visitor. At least there, you can’t kick me out until my lease is finished.