When you get admitted to a college, there is a very important thing you have to take care of- accommodation. Unfortunately, many students think that they can easily get a place to stay. But, it isn’t that simple. Accommodation is a big issue in the entire world and the prices in most places are through the roof.
If you don’t do proper research on it, you can end up burning a hole in your pocket. Rent is the biggest expense for a student when in college. Most of the money they earn from part-time jobs is used for rent.
But don’t let the huge rent dishearten you from staying at a good place in college. After all, you’re not staying near your college forever and you don’t have to buy a house. You need a place where you can stay for a temporary time (around one to two years). There are several options other than buying an expensive house. In this blog, we’ll tell you about 6 amazing accommodation options you can choose in college.
Let’s begin.
College Dorms
The first option that you must know about is college dorms. They are basically rooms within the campus. Most students prefer to stay in dorms because of the less distance they have to cover to reach classes. Moreover, if there is some event in college, students in dorms know all about it.
Another reason students prefer dorms is that they can make a lot of friends because most dorms are shared. Some students even become friends with their roommates and complete assignments together. When two people do assignment writing together, there is very little probability that there would be any errors. But, staying with your friends and completing assignments doesn’t mean you complete them correctly. You can always ask an expert like Grow With Grades to help you with assignment editing and proofreading.
The living cost in dorms is less than other accommodation options, which is why they get filled early. So, if you want to stay in a college dorm, you have to apply early. In most colleges, you can only book your spot after you’ve successfully been admitted. We’re sure that you’ll love your time living in a college dorm.
Hostels
Many students don’t know the difference between college dorms and hostels. They use the words interchangeably. But, there is a big difference between the two. We feel the students who have traveled in Asia or Europe know which hostels we’re talking about.
We’re talking about traveler hostels. Traveler hostels are becoming popular because of the less accommodation cost. The structure of hostels is somewhat similar to college dorms, meaning they have bunk beds and shared washrooms. They also have a common area where travelers come together to have a fun time. Although hostels are meant for temporary stay, there is no restriction that you have to leave after a certain time. You can keep on paying and staying as long as you want.
The good thing about hostels is that you get to meet people from different countries. If you’re curious, you can also learn a foreign language and make lifelong friends. When you stay in a hostel for a long time, you can even start working at the front desk or some other position. We feel this is great because you get an opportunity to earn at the same place you’re living in.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is not a new concept. It has existed for many years but now there is an application that allows you to do it. For people who don’t know, Couchsurfing is when people open their homes for travelers from across the world. The person offering their place is called a host and the traveler is called a surfer.
Couchsurfing is becoming more popular nowadays because people want to build connections with others from different countries. It is the best way to know about other cultures and put an end to misunderstandings.
As a college student, you too can stay at a host’s place. But, the thing with Couchsurfing is that it is a temporary stay. After some time, you’ll have to move out. There is also a chance that the host might offer you a permanent place or tell you about someone who can.
Rented Rooms
Many college students choose to live in rented rooms not far from college. We feel living in them is a good option if they don’t get a spot in the college dorms. People who have houses near colleges often rent their homes, which is why students don’t have to struggle a lot while finding them.
But the rent is usually the problem for students because it is more than dorms. Moreover, most students choose rented rooms because they don’t want to have any restrictions as usually in college dorms, students have to reach their dorms by a certain time at night.
Students usually get a room in an entire house. The other rooms in a house are also used by other students. It is why many rented rooms have separate washrooms but a common kitchen. We feel that’s also a good thing because some students don’t know how to cook & when they have people who can cook, it’s quite a relief. BTW, if you want to know how you can save money on food in college, you should read this blog.
There are some good & bad things about living in rented rooms. But if you don’t have many options, you can definitely choose them because in most cases, the good points outweigh the negatives. You might have to face some difficulties while finding rented rooms because most college students think of them as the second-best option. They get booked earlier than the semester even begins. If you have some relatives or friends living in that area, you can ask them to do the booking for you.
Homestays
Another accommodation option many college students have no idea about is a homestay. A homestay, as the name suggests, is when you live in a home. You don’t pay a lot when you live this way because you live with a family. Sometimes, you don’t pay any amount and instead do some household chores.
The family can give you a separate room where you can stay. Homestays are becoming increasingly popular because of the bond students can create with families. If some student is from a different country, homestay is an excellent option because staying with a family ensures that they get to experience everything about the new country- the food, culture, language, traditions.
Students who love living on their terms might have issues adjusting to living with a family. That’s because most students expect independence once they land in a new country. After all, there’s no one to tell them how to do things. Like college dorms, some families may also put time restrictions. But overall, staying with a family during your college time is an amazing experience because you won’t face homesickness.
Apartments
Some students who don’t want any restrictions choose to stay in apartments. Apartments are similar to rented rooms but you get a whole lot more than just a room. You get a washroom, kitchen, sitting area, and maybe even a swimming pool. When you’re getting so many things, expect to pay a hefty price.
In apartments, you have to take care of everything on your own. There will be no one to cook for you or wash your clothes. You’ll have to learn a lot of skills to live comfortably in an apartment. Some students get together and buy an apartment. We feel doing this is a better thing than buying an entire apartment by yourself. But students who have money can definitely do it.
Apart from some initial troubles, you’ll learn a lot about yourself. And learning about yourself is crucial in college because it will help you in your life after you graduate.
Conclusion
Finding a place to stay during your college studies doesn’t have to be hard when you know about the various options. Often, students blame their college without knowing that college can only control who enters their dorms and nothing else.
Although it is recommended you apply early for the accommodation, it isn’t compulsory because not all these options will be filled early. As most students don’t know about these options, they stay vacant. All these 6 options have some good points and some drawbacks. It’s your job to identify which option is the best for you.
If you loved reading this detailed blog, share it with your friends who’re about to start college.
