XOXO Leah: Living On or Off Campus Next Year
Deciding where you should live next year
By Leah Keith
Housing sign-up is right around the corner, and it’s time to answer the question all college students need to ask themselves: Should I live on or off campus? As a St. Kate’s student living on campus, I can definitely see the benefits of living on campus. However, the longer I attend this university, the more I am itching to live on my own. So, I decided it was the perfect time to answer this question I recently received:
Hi Leah!
I’m a second year living on campus and trying to decide whether or not I want to live on campus for next year or move off campus like a few of my friends. What do you think I should do?
To answer this question, let’s hear from current resident student, Julia Brantley ‘26 (Fashion Design, they/them), and their experience living on campus in Caecilian Hall.
Julia Brantley (right) next to roommate Makayla Stinson (left), featuring Caecilian Hall
What made you decide to live on campus in your current place? Did you ever consider living off campus or a different housing option? Why or why not?
I chose to live in Caecilian because it looked really pretty. The reason I chose to live on campus is because ResLife told me since I was out of state, it would basically be free to live on campus. If I lived off campus, I would be paying out of pocket monthly. I probably wouldn’t even be able to afford it because I don’t even have credit.
What are your favorite parts of living on campus and least favorite parts of living on campus?
I like how living on campus, you have easy access to go to your classes. What I don’t like about living on campus is that we can hear everything that goes on in our entire dorm. I don’t like that.
What advice would you give students deciding whether to live on or off campus?
I would say it depends on the student’s financial situation. If they can live off campus and be just fine, then maybe they should do that. If they prefer to get away from their parents or they can’t afford to live in an apartment with other people, then maybe live on campus. Even on campus, I know it’s really expensive as well. I know people say St. Mary’s and Crandall and the Rauenhorst and Morrison dorms are really nice. However, if people want to live by themselves in a super double, Caecilian is definitely the way to go. Or if you want to live in a triple like I do, it has a bathroom, that’s also pretty nice. Just know that you still need to use the communal bathrooms to shower.
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There are lots of factors to consider when deciding where to live, and to gain more perspective on this decision, let’s hear from a student who lives in an off-campus apartment, Jordanna Marshall ‘25 (Biochemistry, she/they).
Jordanna Marshall next to an inside view of their apartment.
What made you decide to live off campus in your current place? Did you ever consider living on campus? Why or why not?
I did want to live on campus, but when applications opened up, my housing situation was still up in the air, so I wasn’t on time. Campus housing was a last resort option for me because I wanted a place year round with my cousin or boyfriend, not a random person from my school. When living off campus was looking iffy for me, I reached out to ResLife, but they never responded to me, so I went back to looking for my own place.
What are your favorite parts of living off campus and least favorite parts of living off campus?
I love the individuality and freedom I have at my place. It’s just an apartment so things are more strict than if I was in a house, but things aren’t checked regularly. I saw the people who owned my apartment when I was getting a tour and picking up my keys but that was it. I kinda like and don’t like this aspect of living off campus. Living by myself can make me feel very isolated from others if I don’t make an effort to go out and see people. The first time I saw my neighbor was a month after I moved in, and it felt like they didn’t want to talk to me, which is hard as a talkative person. I’m also by myself on buying furniture and utilities, and it gets expensive, but I also think having this experience helps me understand what is a necessity and what isn’t.
What advice would you give students deciding whether to live on or off campus?
I would say it depends on your own needs and wants. I wanted a place to get freedom from my family and prove to myself and them that I can make it on my own. I’m big on expressing myself through decorating or my artwork, so that was also a big decision on whether or not I decided to live on campus. I think living on campus is a good idea for freshmen who want to get to know the school and people around them and people who just need a break from their hometown but aren’t committed enough to leave. Living off campus is a good move for when you want to find yourself. At my own place, I’ve been doing a lot of reflection, and it feels better in a space that I made my own.
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Hearing about the experience of living off campus makes me excited to have a place of my own one day, but for now, I am grateful for what I have living on campus. I hope the insights from both residential and non-residential students help you during this decision process — there are definitely pros and cons for each.
At the end of the day, the choice to live on or off campus depends heavily on your situation, so I would look at all of your options before deciding. You could even make a pros and cons list if you’re really struggling with the decision! If you need help deciding where you want to live on campus, you can review all of that information on the ResLife website or the My Housing portal. I would recommend you all think through what YOU want and need during college, and that should lead you in the right direction.
Good luck with the decision, and I hope you all are staying safe and warm!
xoxo Leah
