by Saurabh Pal

Created on: September 10, 2009

College is a stage of life where you are getting ready to face the world on your own. Some students live away from home for the first time. During their college stint some like to travel away from home and study at a campus which is at a different location. While staying away from home students need to decide whether they want to live off campus or on the campus. There are relative advantages and disadvantages of doing both. Let us look at the top ten reasons for living off campus -

1. Helps to get over homesick-ness - Visiting parents, siblings or friends can stay with you to make you feel at home. Lot of people start missing home when they live away from home for the first time. There are instances when students have moved colleges as they were missing home or could not bear to live without parents. So if you are off campus then parents can stay over at your place and get you adjusted to the new environment.

2. More peaceful - Staying away from the campus is much more peaceful. You are free to live the life you want. If you are living on campus then you are exposed to loud music, noisy dorm mates or late night binges. All of which can rob you of your peaceful existence.

3. Less distractions - Have you heard of the story of the noisy room-mate who likes to play the music at top volume? You never know - that person could be your room-mate.

4. More private space - If you have an apartment or are sharing an apartment at an off campus location then you definitely have more private space without anyone intruding into your personal life. You are free to do and plan according to your own whims and fancies.

5 Assigned Parking - Another big advantage of living off-campus is that you have parking space assigned for you. Within the campus, you may have to park your car some distance away from your dorm room depending on the availability. During rain or snow this can be really bothersome.

6. Own Kitchen - You will have your own kitchen where you can eat according to your taste. Eating food at the dorm over a period of time can take its toll on your health. Often students report sick within a couple of weeks of starting to live on campus.

7. Live your own life - If you are off-campus then you are free to live your own life at your own dictates. You no longer have to adjust your schedules to match those of your room mate or any other classmate.

8. More economical - If you can share an apartment with another person or classmate then this can work out much cheaper than staying on-campus. On top of it you have all the advantages discussed in this article.

9. Can choose your own room-mate - If you stay on-campus then you will not be able to choose your room-mate. Instead you have to put up with whoever is assigned to your room. But if you have a room or an apartment to yourself then you have the luxury of choosing a suitable person with similar tastes and habits. If things don't work out then you can work out a different arrangement.

10. More time for studies - If you want to concentrate on your studies then this is the best thing for you. You will have lot of peace and quiet to pursue your own studies and also to relax and chill at your own pace.

Remember you will only to college once. It is the chance of a life time. So make the most of it. This is a great opportunity for you to increase your knowledge, participate in college activities and put your beliefs and principles to practice.

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