<p>I am currently a sophomore attending University of Maryland. I have lived in an off-campus apartment since freshman year (last year), and I feel like it was a mistake. I kind of regret it since I feel like I missed out on so many college opportunities and social events. I have lived the life of a hermit in my apartment, only making a few friends here and there.</p>
<p>Please tell me, what have I missed out on? I heard it is imperative that freshman live in dorms their first year to make as many friends as possible since that is the only time when they can have a large social life. </p>
<p>Now, I am considering living on campus, preferably in an on-campus apartment for next year (Junior Year). </p>
<p>It depends on the person. Many people prefer not to live in dorms (I won’t). You’ve missed out on the friends you would have made, and perhaps maybe someone who you would have done classwork with and shared stuff. </p>
<p>Dorm life was definitely the way to go for me. I lived on-campus freshman and sophomore years, off-campus my junior year, and ended up moving back on-campus for my senior year. </p>
<p>Perks of on-campus living:
-Close proximity to classes/labs
-Surrounded by classmates of similar age
-Community
-Less hassle/responsibility
-Shared laundry center was much cleaner/less sketchy than your run-of-the-mill public laundromat.</p>
<p>Downsides of on-campus living:
-Costs can be higher at some schools</p>
<p>Perks of off-campus living:
-Can be quieter and less distracting since you’re living around random people, many of whom are working adults
-Potentially nicer/more upscale living areas (of course, this comes with a pricetag)</p>
<p>Downsides of off-campus living:
-Surrounded by random people of varying ages/ambitions/interests (detracts from the college experience)
-Commute
-May have to use public laundromats (blech!)
-Offers far less of a community feel</p>
<p>Obviously, it really depends on your area and the school as to the accuracy of the above pros/cons.</p>
<p>The benefits of dorm life are probably greatest in one’s first year, as it tends to help one become more socially connected. Upperclass students tend to connect more closely with others in their majors anyway. Frosh living in dorms do tend to have higher graduation rates than frosh living elsewhere, possibly because academic support services to help frosh make the high school to college transition are more easily publicized in and accessible from the dorms.</p>
<p>I hated living in a dorm my freshman year, but that was because I value personal space more than anything. My roommate was pretty cool though, but we didn’t necessarily become BFFs. That being said, I met one of my best friends on my hall. It was totally worth it. Remember that it’s only for a year and that year flies by. If you don’t like it, you never have to live in a dorm again. In addition, remember that a large part of making new friends has to do with putting yourself out there. For example, you could join a sorority/fraternity, join a club, intramural, take an exercise class, volunteer and chat up people around you. Many people who move off campus after their freshman year continue to make friends.</p>
<p>Good luck in your decision! </p>