Alexandra Dawe

Living in the dorms is a great convenience students need to consider over living off-campus may have less restrictions but residence halls can help keep students focused. For starters, the living conditions depend on where you are, on or off campus. Some residence halls are notorious for their poor quality, and some are famous for their cushy amenities. This can be said for apartments as well.

Dining is also an important factor. Again, some dining halls are well-known for their good food. If one were to live off campus, they would have to purchase and cook their own food, unless they had a commuter dining plan. These dining plans range from 10 dining hall meals with 100 flex dollars for $160 per semester to unlimited plus, which gives the student unlimited dining hall meals and 125 flex dollars for $1320, according to the off-campus dining meal information provided online by Campus Dining Services. This seems ideal for some, but if upfront cost is an issue, it wouldn’t be so ideal. This can be said overall as well. I have lived on and off campus. It is cheaper to live off campus, but what it does cost is required upfront, one can’t get much if they don’t have money. Living on campus will run students more money and provide a lot more convenience when one has no extra cash, but the cost can be paid off slowly with financial aid.

There is also a large social factor here. Living in an apartment alone is costly, but the financial burden can be eased with more roommates. In a residence hall, there could be up to 70 students per floor, giving plenty of social interaction to those who live there whereas with a house it may be few roommates with conflicting schedules.

There are pros and cons to this living situation that depend on who you are as a person. I am not a fan of living in a crowded house or residence hall. This stressful social aspect can negatively influence my behavior as well as my schoolwork. However, due to the upfront cost, living off campus isn’t a good fit for me. I do suggest considering the pros and cons before deciding what is best.

Maddie Steen

It’s been three years since I have lived in a residence hall and I can say that I do not miss it, no matter how many times I attempt to relive those memories. I made great friends and messing around in Stevensons dining hall was always fun but something about living off of campus just makes me feel secure yet completely free.

The dorms were convenient and fun, for a year, but everyone is so in everyone’s business. One might not even meet their neighbor, but they know all of their drama. Living in a house means I am completely away from everyone I don’t want to see every hour of my life and it’s wonderful.

Living on campus comes with many restrictions, but a variety of dining hall food is served throughout the day and its only short walk to class. However, freedom is important considering up until college I lived with my parents.

Living on ones own outside of a resident hall better prepares students for life. Experiences like this are important and teach you many responsibilities the dorms don’t. When was the last time someone living in the dorms had to keep up with monthly rent, utility bills, cook themselves dinner, clean or take the trash out, mow the lawn or take their laundry to the closest cleaners.

In the end, I paid around $11,000 to live in the dorms for one year, according to the resident hall rates provided on NIUs Housing and Residential Servixces page. Rent at my new place will end up costing me $5,100 for 12 months. I’d rather live on my own, learn real homeowner experiences and feel confident moving across the country by myself. It’s not the price that determined on or off campus for me – it was the urge to face what intimidates me.

Privacy is the best factor to consider followed by freedom, homemade food on the grill I’m allowed to own, no rules and of course bills because they make me feel like an adult.