Whether you’re an eager-eyed freshman who can’t wait to make a chore list with your new suitemate or a seasoned senior who plans on couch-surfing for the semester, choosing where to live during your college years is one of the most important decisions in a young adult’s life.

Student housing? Off-campus apartment? Mom and dad’s house? The steps of the fraternity house that you’re not really a part of, but sorta?

At Door To Dorm, we know that decision isn’t an easy one, which is why we’ve come up with a few ways to help you narrow down the best digs for your lifestyle.

Living on Campus

Accessibility:

Campus living not only allows you to make the most of your freedom as a college student (take that, curfew!), but also offers the unparalleled convenience of being able to roll out of bed after a long night of studying and into the classroom of your early morning lecture.

We get it, 10 a.m. feels a lot earlier than it used to and being the overachiever that you are, you’re not just running on college o’clock, you’re also bearing the burden that accompanies financial irresponsibility. Guess what? That’s totally okay, because living on campus means not having to waste your precious in-between-the-cushions quarters on commuting to class. Go ahead, spend all of your money on Christmas lights and other, erm, necessities for your dorm––it’s called budgeting. Hop on the campus bus, ride your longboard, or get a head start over the “freshman 15” by giving those back-to-school kicks a test drive.

Resources:

This whole college thing can take some getting used to, and you’re bound to have a few mishaps along the way. Luckily, living on campus means having access to every imaginable support system to ensure that never again will you go to your Tuesday building on a Wednesday. Repeat after us: “Never. Again.”

From academic advisors, recreational facilities, computer labs, residence dining halls, and libraries, campus life brings all of the means necessary to better navigate college life to your doorstep.

Social Life:

Living on campus can also improve your chances of getting to know the people around you. Got class with a cutie? Treat them to a late-night study sesh at the library; maybe even stick around for an all-inclusive Netflix binge courtesy of the free Wi-Fi. Seriously though, campus living can be a great way to build a community for academic support and friendship. Why wait until next week’s class for answers? Take a stroll down Greek Row and check in with your sorority sister who totally aced Ochem last semester, or seek out that resident assistant who always has a solution to your dormitory doldrums.

Additionally, getting involved with different clubs and activities around campus can broaden your social circle. Whether you’re looking to toga party like Dionysus himself, or join the debate team like a true Socratic, college campuses are full of great networking opportunities that are both academic and extracurricular.

Living Off-Campus

So, you lucked out and your top school is only a few miles away from your old stomping grounds…well, you sort of lucked out. While the idea of living with your parents probably doesn’t ring of the freedom bell you’ve been daydreaming about, living at a home is a fairly reasonable option. Not only do you save big, but you can always count on your parents to help with the newfound tedium of college life. What beats a night-in playing board games with your folks, your parent’s home baked cookies on the regular, or that convenient washer and dryer just down the hall instead of up or down many stair flights?

If that doesn’t sweeten the deal, you’ll have access to free (or at least cheaper) food, rent, and some peace and quiet. Not every student finds the campus library the ideal place to study; luckily for you homebodies, you can cop a cup of coffee from dad’s Keurig, and take a seat in the familiar décor of your own living room.

Of course, saving money might not be worth it for those of us with helicopter parents––always getting on your case and forgetting *sigh* that you’re an adult now. Or maybe your parents decided 18 years rent-free was long enough, and they’ve suddenly started charging you to sleep in your childhood bedroom.

Enter the apartment.

You know you’ve always wanted that messy, windowless studio with exposed plumbing to complement your “starving artist” lifestyle. And how liberating would it be to finally bump those tunes full-blast without suburban moms from the neighborhood watch yelling at you from their minivans?

For those noncommittal types, the downside of getting an apartment is the pledge to a lease. Fear not! This option will not only build your credit and rental history, but will put life truly in your control for the first time. The trial and error period of living on your own comes with its own headaches, but the experience is a priceless one that will pay off in the end, just like your degree––especially if you’re an engineering major.

There’s no right answer when it comes to living on-campus, at home, or in your first apartment, but we hope these points will help take the edge off your transition into college life.

No matter what your next move is, Door To Dorm’s shipping and storage services have got your back. And for an extra cool addition to any space, make sure to check out our fridge rentals at https://doortodorm.com/#