<p>I myself would prefer living in an on-campus dorm my first year (next year) just to get used to everything and be close to everything before I move out to apartments or what not. The only thing with that is that the on-campus dorms at UT Austin all look so bad...even the newer ones like San Jacinto and Duren have their downsides (mostly price and location). Are off-campus dorms like the Castilian or Dobie really that far and inconvenient for first-year students who need to get used to the campus their freshmen year? Would it just be better to endure a small dorm like Jester the first-year since it's right in the middle of everything, and then move out sophomore year?</p>
<p>You should definitely live on campus. No matter how flashy the Dobie or Castilian ads look, their rooms are the same or worse than Jester rooms, and from what my friends tell me, the food sucks over there. DHFS food services are getting better by the semester.</p>
<p>Jester is NOT small!! Maybe too big! I just don’t want to cook, clean, etc., during my first year. I want to meet people and then maybe share an apartment with the new friends later. It also helps to be around other freshmen so that we can figure it all out together like having a support group. Seems like there is more support on campus.</p>
<p>Live on campus. It may not be luxury but you won’t regret it… before I came here I told my parents I REFUSED to live in a dorm in college, and I was so upset when they told me they wanted me to live on campus… but I’m so glad I did. I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons, unless you end up with a psycho roommate or something. I will be moving off campus next year, though.</p>