Checking out the view
Exploring residence options on and off campus
It’s the age-old question all college students come to ask themselves ... to be on campus or to live on their own?
On-campus
Undoubtedly, the best part of campus living is convenience. Financially, the plague of monthly rent is eliminated, and there aren’t legally binding lease agreements looming over your head. If something breaks it’s not your problem, and if worse comes to worse, blame it on your roommate ... right?
On-campus living is designed to be a transition period for students to gracefully shift from parentalcontrol-safety-nets to the big, bad world. Dorm dwellers get basic freedom from mommies and daddies, while learning to cooperate with that stranger in the next bed called a roommate. Campus apartments provide even more independence, and teach students the responsibilities of supporting themselves without meal plans, which means budgeting to avoid starvation.
In the on campus apartments in the Cape Fear Commons and the McClean Residence
Complex, students share a kitchen and two bathrooms with three other people. Unlike dorm-living, however, students enjoy the added comfort of a private bedroom.
Ralph Chew, a junior elementary education major, recently moved into The Commons and seems to be enjoying it.
“I love having my own room to escape to,” he said.
When asked if he’d ever consider moving off-campus, Chew was excited about the prospect, due to the nature of the elementary education program, which requires upper
level students to spend time student teaching in area schools.
“It would be better to go home to my own place when I begin student teaching,” Chew explained.
Megan Ondrey, a junior who moved into The Commons this year, agreed with Chew’s assessment of the campus apartments, but said she’d rather stay on campus.
“I like the space and the privacy [in the apartments]. The kitchen changes the atmosphere of dorm life,” said Ondrey. “Staying here helps me stay involved around campus.”
Between residence hall programs, Student Activities events, SGA, athletics, and a plethora of other campus clubs, there’s never a dull moment for residential students.
Which could be why more than 50 percent of Methodist’s undergraduate students are commuters.
Off-campus
Free at last, free at last ... from rigid campus rules, that is.
The lease terms in the apartment complexes up and down Ramsey Street may not condone college keggers, but cats, candles, and overnight guests are welcomed.
Many would agree that one of the most difficult campus policies to accept would be the ‘no animals unless it’s a goldfish in a water glass that’s bound to die next week’ rule, especially for students who are accustomed to living with family pets. There’s nothing like coming home from a hard day of classes to find a furry friend waiting by the front door.
Off-campus apartments also lack the limitations of what can be used in one’s domicile. If I really wanted to have a halogen lamp and a hot plate,nobody is stopping me! And candles
... what’s a romantic evening without candles? Or wine? Alcohol is also permitted, for anyone over 21, of course.
“I like being able to go home to my own place without all the noise and distraction,” said Courtney Fernandez, a junior who recently moved off-campus to Abbott’s Park. “I also enjoy being permanently moved in. I don’t have to deal with the hassle of checking out during breaks, or moving out at the end of the year.”
Unlike on-campus living, students living off-campus have the choice to stick around at the end of the semester. That means no packing, unpacking, repacking, unpacking, etc.
At off-campus locations, friends and family from out-of-town aren’t harassed and frisked to receive an overnight campus parking pass, and they can stay for as long as they want.
Heck, they could even bring their pets and beer if they really wanted to. Not to mention they won’t be cramped into a 3x6 foot sleeping area shoved beneath a lofted bed. Offcampus apartments give students the obvious added space, with the option to upgrade to an extra bedroom for guests and/or office space.
Ultimately, the choice to stay or go is a personal one, and all students should take all aspects of both options into consideration. When that fateful graduation day comes, though, I’m afraid it’s either on your own, or on the streets.
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