<p>Hi, I am a junior in high school who has been wanting to go to college and live on campus. I am wondering what is living on campus like? Doesn't matter what school you go to I just want to hear your opinion on what is it is like.</p>
<p>Well, you definitely should take this time to explore the schools you are interested in. Many college tours give you a preview of what a typical freshmen dorm looks like. Most of the time they seem small and box like but you will get used to it. I live on campus and my first year was great! Freshmen dorms are often loud, but you end up meeting a lot of your friends that way. Living on campus also makes it easier to attend events or club meetings. At my school most meetings start at 8pm or even 9:15 pm and go on for a couple hours. It’s nice to know your dorm is only a walk away whereas commuter students have to drive home. I would never want to be a commuter student bc I hate driving at night. However, many of my commuter friends don’t mind it and if they want to stay the night they crash in my room. In all honesty, it really depends on the school you are attending. Ask questions on your tours and if you have time to tour the campus by yourself ask a student walking around. The best place is the student center just ask typically they will answer you. Best of luck</p>
<p>If you’re going to be an entering freshman, it’s very likely you’ll be forced to live on campus for your entire freshman year anyways, so I wouldn’t worry too much about a decision.</p>
<p>Living on campus typically involves sharing a small room with another person or two, unless you opt for a suite or single which can get REALLY expensive. REALLY quick. Your average dorm has very few amenities. You might get the following: a closet, a sink and medicine-cabinet mirror, a bed, a wall, a desk and MAYBE a chair, and a bookshelf. Your bed will double as a dresser. Unless you get a suite, THERE IS NO BATHROOM OR SHOWER.</p>
<p>You’ll actually have to leave your room and go down the hall for a communal bathroom that you’ll share with 30 other people at least. Sometimes people from other floors will come down to your floor just to use the bathroom because theirs either sucks, everything is taken up, or both. The showers usually will get cleaned every weekday, or they say they are at least. But the showers are usually not very new and the pipework is kinda rusty and limescaley. Sometimes there is no hot water for you to take a shower. You’ll need shower shoes since you’ll be stepping in other people’s gunk and potentially urine otherwise.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, living on campus makes it easier for you to meet people and you’re closer to your classes and stuff meaning that a lot of responsibilities like buying groceries and paying rent and worrying about ruining your housing history are taken off you. You’re also there for more of the campus life. But something I tell prospective freshman is to make sure they’re actually interested in bettering their life with college and not going just to live in the dorms because it’s the “cool” thing to do. A LOT of freshman move off-campus starting in their sophomore years because living in the dorms get old REALLY quick. For example, people pull the fire alarms as jokes. This sometimes sets off the sprinkler systems in ALL the dorms which will FLOOD EVERYONE’S STUFF and ruin any electronics you have in the dorms. It’ll also ruin any clothes or anything that’s not supposed to get wet like your really expensive textbooks.</p>
<p>And totally I understand and encourage, college doesn’t have to be all serious and no play whatsoever. Make the most of it and enjoy it. But please make sure you understand why you want to go.</p>
<p>All the best!</p>
<p>cameraphone</p>
<p>Lots of students can’t afford to live on campus. But if you can, it is usually better from a social perspective. Regarding the fire alarms, at both my and my kids’ colleges, fire alarms DO get pulled sometimes at odd hours. But I have not heard of the sprinkler systems going off in any of our experiences… don’t worry about that happening.</p>
<p>The sprinkler system isn’t supposed to go off under normal circumstances. It depends on the dorm. The fire alarm can trigger it, but also poking one of the sprinklers by hanging something from it will cause ALL the sprinklers to go off. It happened at one of my friend’s dorms this past fall.</p>
<p>Living on campus is great! I am on the meal plan here and live in a 2-person room. My floor shares the bathroom. At first I was a little worried (lack of privacy, etc.), but you adjust really fast. Now it feels weird to be home where there is tons of space and lots of privacy. Lol. The one thing I absolutely hate about living on campus is the NOISE! My next door neighbors are so loud! I hate it and have bought ear plugs since moving here. I call security on them at least 2 or 3 times a week because they are so loud. When you go to school invest in some ear plugs. Your sanity will thank you.</p>