Living in a residence hall is a common experience for most first-year students, and opinions about it can vary a lot, from dealing with mismatched roommates to enjoying the convenience of campus life. Deciding whether to live on campus is up to you, but personally, my experience has been amazing.
Living on campus has opened up so many opportunities I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. In this guide, I’ll share some of my personal experiences and highlight what living on campus can offer to new students.
I live in Miller Hall. It’s on the south side of campus, providing convenient access to The Lodge, alongside amenities such as a movie room and laundry facilities. This residence offers many housing options, including doubles, three-person pods, and singles on the fifth floor. The three-person pods have three separate rooms along with a shared common area.
I currently occupy a double with my roommate, and depending on the arrangement of the space, it can be quite spacious and comfortable. Overall, there have been few complaints from residents, and I would recommend Miller Hall to students seeking on-campus housing.
Living on campus has been incredible as a first-year student. Everything is just a short walk away: my classes, the library, and The Lodge Dining Hall. I love popping into the University Center now and then to grab a snack or a drink from The Market. After that, I can just walk back to my dorm, where I can relax, study, or enjoy some free time activities.
I'm also a walk away from Aber Hall, which has all the resources I need to stay on top of things. I go there for my TRIO meetings, tutoring, and to check on my financial aid. I’ve found it much easier to handle things in person rather than over the phone or email. Overall, living on campus makes everything so much more convenient!
Growing up in a small town with a close-knit friend group, I never really had the chance to branch out. But now, meeting new people has been a refreshing experience. I've connected with individuals who have supported me through personal struggles, and these connections have become like family to me. The support system on campus is incredible; it just takes discovering your community and finding your click.
There's always a dilemma: should you room with someone you already know, or should you take the risk of sharing a space with a stranger? Sticking with someone you've known for years feels like the safer choice, but it can also limit opportunities to meet new people.
When I submitted my housing application, I had no idea who my roommate would be. Then I received an email from him, and we started chatting immediately. We soon made plans to meet up before college began, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
We went for a hike around a nearby lake and took the opportunity to get to know each other better. After our hike, we attended a concert together the next day. It was an incredible experience, and we bonded over our shared love of music. I couldn’t have asked for a better roommate. He’s become one of my favorite people here, and I’m grateful I took that chance.
Living in my residence hall has opened up numerous leadership opportunities that are easily accessible. My resident assistant frequently encourages residents to get involved, making these chances hard to miss. These roles are excellent for enhancing my resume, and come with perks like free housing and a meal plan. Several opportunities have been presented to me, and I’ve seized them without hesitation.
A resident hall’s Programming and Activities Council (PAC) offers a great opportunity to develop leadership skills and get actively involved in your resident hall. Each hall has its own PAC, a group dedicated to planning and organizing monthly events that are open to everyone. As members, we have the power to decide what activities to host.
We've organized some fun events, such as a Halloween-themed study room decorating contest, a Thanksgiving celebration honoring veterans, a study refresher stand for finals, and a Valentine’s Day rock-painting activity. These events have added a lot of enjoyment to my dorm life, and everyone has had a role in making them happen. I usually handle advertising, which has allowed me to work alongside some incredibly creative people.
Being part of PAC has not only made my experience more enjoyable but has also provided valuable opportunities for personal growth. It’s helped me build skills and connections that could support me when applying for positions like Resident Assistant, as I can use these experiences to help with job applications.
I’ve been fortunate to develop a close relationship with my RA. They’ve been a great resource; they listen to my frustrations and even wrote me a strong recommendation letter for the Resident Assistant position. Honestly, I wouldn’t have considered applying if it weren’t for the benefits and the positive impact it could have on my resume.
The application process opened in the middle of my first semester, and I submitted my application on the first day. Becoming an RA can have significant perks, such as free housing and a free meal plan. As someone from a low-income household who has to manage college expenses largely on my own, this opportunity felt like a great way to take on a leadership role while also reducing some of my costs.
That said, being an RA is definitely demanding work. It requires emotional stability and the ability to handle serious situations if they arise. It’s crucial to prioritize your mental health and ensure that your personal life doesn’t interfere with your responsibilities. If you’re interested, I recommend talking to your RA to learn more.
While I'm grateful to have decided to live on campus in Miller Hall, you have to make that decision yourself. Luckily, there's a lot of information out there to make the best decision that fits you: