Hello, I am Ben DeWitt, editor of this year’s Housing Guide.
Moving away from home is a very stressful situation. You leave behind all you’ve known to attempt to live on your own. One of the hardest parts of starting college is this step, and it is one of the most impactful decisions you will make in your college experience. This guide is meant to show you what options are available and what to expect.
Personally, I have not lived on campus long. My first year was in 2020, in the height of the pandemic, and I did not stay at my dorm very much. With classes being almost completely online, I stayed with my brother off campus often.
Still, living on campus is a great way to make friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
Whether you live in the Greek system, Tower or off campus, you are with a group of people who are experiencing the exact same feelings of homesickness and anxiety that you are. Experiencing these things together can allow us to help and support our specific needs.
The University of Idaho has such an incredible and tight-knit community. Though I do not live on campus, I feel very involved and like a part of the Vandal family. Perhaps one of the university’s greatest strengths is the support and morale of the community and its ability to include nearly anyone that wants to be a part of it.
Choosing where you will be staying is a very tough decision. There are several options, and each option is very different from the other. I hope that this guide will help you make your decision with clarity and give you full knowledge of what you are getting yourself into.
The scariest part of this entire process is, “What if I end up hating it?” Trust me, you do not have to worry about that. Most likely you will make some of the best memories of your life during your college experience and where you choose to live will only add to these moments.
Ben DeWitt can be reached at [email protected]