Relocating for the purpose of pursuing higher education is a significant decision in and of itself. It is never easy to uproot your life from one location and move to a new place. There is more work involved in moving nations than just relocating to a new place, particularly for foreign students. It takes a lot of effort to adjust to changes in routine, social groups, food, culture, and habits.
Therefore, while on-campus housing is more accessible and frequently offers a variety of services, the majority of international students opt for it. However, living off campus offers a number of benefits as well. There are a few common issues that off-campus students should be aware of if they have chosen to live off-campus. Find out by reading on!
What Should You Know As An Off-Campus Student?
1. Safety
As a young off-campus student living in a new city alone, the top priority must be, without a doubt, your safety. Check out the surrounding area and locality to see how developed it is. Also, verify the safety of your flat or room and the building itself to see if it has reliable locks and security systems in place. Verify the security measures taken by the authorities at the location. As a quick checklist, ask the following questions to ensure that your safety isn’t compromised:.
- Is the property located away from the town in an isolated area?
- Do you have access to outside help if needed?
- Are the authorities keeping a check on who enters or exits the building?
- Are there CCTV cameras on the premises?
2. Amenities and Utilities
If you’re living in off-campus student accommodation, find out what the authorities have to offer in terms of utilities and amenities. On multiple occasions, off-campus housing is substantially less expensive than on-campus housing. They might take the extra amenities out of your agreed-upon rent in order to lower these expenses.
As a result, the monthly cost of WiFi, water, gas, or electricity may exceed the rent. In addition, the owners of the building usually demand monthly subscription fees or similar amounts for access to any gym, sports center, fitness center, or swimming pool.
3. Transportation
The fact that students can live on campus and avoid making the daily journey to college is one of the main benefits of this option. The daily challenge of transportation is one that off-campus students must face. Finding a property close to the college campus—preferably within walking distance—is the easiest approach to handling this.
These housing options are in high demand, though, and are frequently pricey. Make sure it is connected well to the rest of the city and is a part of a sizable public transportation network by looking a little beyond the grounds. There are extra student discounts available at a number of public transit providers. These are a few of the most practical ways to get around using public transportation.
- Buses
- Trains
- Taxis
- Bicycles
- Coaches
- Metro
- Trolley
- Ferries
4. Roommates
Going 50/50 on a flat with your best friend seems like a wonderful idea at the beginning, but it often causes problems in the long run. Thus, before you start looking for a property, figure out whether you want a roommate or not. If you decide to look for living spaces with your friends, ensure that you all have the same goals and preferences. Otherwise, it will lead to unnecessary compromise.
FUPRE Academic Calendar 2023-2024
If you decide to find a new roommate, ensure that you’re aware of their daily schedule, drinking and smoking habits, financial situation, and health concerns. Since you are going to be staying with someone 24/7, it is absolutely crucial to ensure that you’re on the same page in every aspect.
5. Social interaction
When you are an off-campus student living away from home, it is essential to find a few people on whom you can fall back in times of need. Thus, social interaction, both on and off campus, becomes a priority. You can work on your skills, talents, and capabilities by getting involved in forums, clubs, and student organisations at the college.
On the other hand, interacting with more people off-campus introduces you to new opportunities and ideas through word of mouth. For instance, nearby cafes and restaurants, available student discounts, concessions, and more. Most importantly, social interaction allows you to form a close circle and be a part of a vibrant student community.
6. Explore The Campus
Universities and colleges often offer several opportunities and facilities to develop their personal and professional skills. They usually have sports teams, debate clubs, student organisations, departmental forums, and other lively spaces where students can indulge in their hobbies and hone their talents. Not only are these facilities a way to work on yourself, but they also allow you to form an active network. Dabbling in extracurriculars enables you to gain different skill sets that will help you in your professional career in the long run.
7. Campus Resources
As was already indicated in the section above, deducting extra facilities and amenities from the agreed-upon rent frequently results in off-campus student accommodation being less expensive. You can use your university resources to make up for these amenities at no cost to you. For example, using the gym, sports facility, swimming pool, etc. may incur additional fees from the landlord of your rental property.
But the majority of colleges already provide these resources to their students at no cost. In order to reduce the amount of money you spend each month, you might investigate the options your college offers and take advantage of them.
8. Budget
As an off-campus student, budgeting must be a top priority. Keep in mind that a considerable portion of your monthly budget will be going towards your rent for a notable period of time. Ideally, a maximum of 30% of your monthly expenses should be reserved for rent. If you are planning to share the property with a roommate, ensure that you are both on the same page regarding the finances to avoid disputes in the long run. Here’s a standard list of all the aspects that contribute to your monthly expenses:.
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Food Cost
- Utility Cost
- Entertainment
- Groceries
- Clothes
9. Explore Your Options
Before rushing into the decision and finalising any one property, explore all the available options, especially if you are looking for a long-term stay. For example, you might be able to find a better property at a cheaper price, slightly farther from the campus. By managing all the aspects appropriately, you can end up with a pretty decent housing property without breaking the bank. A list of popular housing options is mentioned below.
- Ensuites and non-ensuites
- Shared living spaces
- Apartments
- Flats
- Luxury studios
- Private, rented rooms
- Purpose-Built Student Accommodation
- HMOs
- Homestays
10. Add your touch!
Staying away from home is quite challenging as it is. The best way to tackle it is to add your own touch. Make the living space as unique as possible by decorating it with memorabilia, souvenirs, and your hobbies. Interact with more people and form a strong community. Most importantly, remember to have fun!
FAQs
What does it mean to be an off-campus student?
- A student who chooses to reside outside of the college campus is called an off-campus student.
Is off-campus housing better than on-campus housing?
- Both on-campus and off-campus accommodations have their pros and cons. On-campus housing is usually more convenient and offers more facilities. On the contrary, the latter is considerably cheaper and provides more liberty.
Does off-campus accommodation have any disadvantages?
- Off-campus accommodation involves additional commuting, which often costs more time and money. It also includes taking on more responsibilities.