By WEI WU
Student Reporter
Probably one of the most debated questions for every college student is whether to live on- or off-campus.
Northwestern provides students four residence halls– Coronado and Ament are for men and men athletes; South and Fryer are designed for women and women athletes. The majority of the rooms are arranged in three-room suites to afford students greater privacy, and it allows for private shower and restroom facilities. All residence halls offer students great atmosphere and student camaraderie. At Northwestern, living on campus is also a requirement for all incoming freshmen.
“I love living on campus,” said sophomore Nathan Dobbs. “Everything just seems a lot easier for me. Meals on campus provide a wide variety of selections, including all I can eat and drink in the cafeteria. No dishes, I eat and I’m done. Plus, there are so many on-campus activities like concerts, plays, intramural sport events, which I can get involved. It also helps me make more friends.”
Safety and convenience are two major reasons students choose to live on campus. University police provide escorts and police security for students around the clock. Within walking distance, campus residents can easily get access to classes and all main university buildings such as the Wellness Center, Library, Bookstore and Cyber Café. School housing is available year-round, so students can stay on campus during breaks; this provides convenience for all international and other out-state students.
Living off-campus definitely brings student more space and ultimate privacy and students do not have to follow as many rules.
“I really prefer to have my very own kitchen, so I don’t have to pay for the food at school even I don’t like it,” said senior JunJun. “Living off-campus also means you have to be very independent; it will help you to be more responsible. You will be in charge of all bills, grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning.” Most of the time, living off-campus will be more expensive and students have to provide themselves the transportation to class. Plus, students may not be as involved with campus activities as they would; this could sometimes cause isolation.
Comparing both pros and cons, make the decision that you think is best for you. College life is too short to hesitate, so make sure you have your own living style.