The housing experience at university can be a lot of stress and anxiety for you and your parents if you’re a first-year student. You’re going to a new place with a new group of people, and you’re going to need to learn how to make friends and get along with your roommates. The last thing you need is to be stressed out about housing! Read on to learn everything you need to know about surviving university housing.
What is University Housing?
Universities provide housing for both undergraduates and graduate students. Dormitory-style housing is often provided to both groups. However, many university housing communities have evolved into four- or five-bedroom efficiency or luxury options in recent years. These newer housing types can generally be found on historic university campuses. At many four-year universities, you can choose from various housing options.
What Are Type of Student Housing
Student housing comes with several options for students to choose from. Below are some of the options that you need to know before deciding how to survive on campus.
Off-Campus Housing
Off-campus housing is most often a cheaper alternative to on-campus housing. It typically costs less than $300 per month and sometimes as little as $50 per week. While it may not have the same advantages as on-campus housing, it’s a great option if you need more space or a cheaper option for occasional stays. Pluses of off-campus housing come with excellent amenities. For instance, if you choose Texas Tech student housing, you will enjoy the fantastic amenity that comes with these quality apartments.
Residence Hall Housing
Residence halls are two or three-story buildings with common areas such as student lounges, study lounges, and social areas. This is the most common type of student housing on campus. There are various types of residence halls, including regular halls, suites, and houses.
On-Campus Housing
On-campus housing is generally more expensive than off-campus housing and can cost as much as $500 per month. There are various types of on-campus housing, including Studio or one-bedroom apartments, Townhouses.
Live-In Caregiver/Household Member Housing
Live-in caregiver and household member (LCHM) housing is a special kind of on-campus housing primarily for students who are in “season” for some time and want to be closer to home and family. Living-in caregivers and household members are typically looking for longer-term housing.
How To Survive on Student Campus
If you’re planning on attending graduate school, you’ll need to find somewhere to live. This can be a scary thought. After all, where are you going to live?. Here are some tips on how to survive in Student housing.
Check-In & Go Through The Routine
First, make sure you’re on the same schedule as your roommates. You probably won’t be the only one living in the same place as you are, so make sure you both know what to expect from each other. It may seem like common sense, but many first-year students fail to take this essential step. If you’re not on the same routine as your roommates, you may find yourself in a situation where you have no one to turn to for support.
Explain Your Housing Routine To Your Parents
Now that you’ve made it through check-in and gone through the routine, it’s time to explain your housing situation to your parents. This should be an easy task if you’ve been keeping track of your spending and have a good idea of what you spend your money on. Not all students will be as organized as you are, so it’s essential to make sure you communicate your budget to your parents.
Know The Different Types of Housing On Campus
Now that you’ve explained your budget and your housing situation to your parents, it’s time to narrow down your options. You have a few different types of housing on campus to choose from: Make sure to choose the right one that you will be able to afford and, at the same time, enjoy your campus life.
Set Up A Co-Signing Contribution For Billing
One last tip for surviving university housing: co-sign for bills with roommates. You could always try to foot the bill for your new roommates, but if they end up borrowing money from you, it could be a stressful situation. If you’re the primary borrower, you could pay more in interest than you would have if you’d just co-signed.
Now that you know everything you need to know about surviving university housing, you’ll be better equipped to make friends and get along with your fellow students. You can also get yourself organized and save time and money by using these tips.
