Living in the dorms or Greek life on campus is supposed to be the epitome of “college life.”
But that’s not the case for introverts.
Living in a place that’s shared — possibly with strangers — and has 100+ other people around at all times isn’t ideal for introverts or people who value privacy and a quiet space.
Living off campus is much better than living in one of the many on-campus options.
When you live on campus, whether it’s in the dorms or in Greek life, being social and engaging in the community feels like it’s a necessity.
If you’re the person who always stays in their room and doesn’t engage in the events, you may feel a bit ostracized at times.
Having your own apartment, or even an apartment with one or two close friends, feels right.
You know that you won’t be judged for feeling reclusive and staying in your room all day. But you also know that you can go into common areas and not be surrounded by strangers.
You feel safe in that space that is truly your own.
In your own apartment, you can still have gatherings and surround yourself with people, if you want to. The biggest difference is that, in the dorms, those people are likely going to be strangers, but in your own apartment, those people are going to be your friends.
If you’re living alone off campus, you’ll never have to worry about coming home to a mess that someone else made. Or worrying about coming home to your roommate having a stranger in the room.
Everything that happens in that apartment is in your control. For an introvert, there’s truly nothing better than that.
You control the noise volume, the cleanliness of the place, how it’s decorated and everything else.
Living in an off-campus apartment also comes with more privacy, especially if you’re living alone.
It can be very hard to find some time alone if you’re living in the dorms. But with an apartment, you’ll have a surplus of it.
Another nice thing about living in an off-campus apartment is the roommate situation. While opting for a random roommate is an option, it’s never something that you may be forced into.
For an introvert, being forced to live with a stranger can be their worst nightmare.
With your own apartment, you control who you live with, whether that’s on your own or with some friends or a significant other.
Often, there is a higher level of respect that comes with living with someone who is a close friend or your significant other.
You and that person will co-exist well. If any arguments arise, you’ll probably be able to work through them, rather than receiving the silent treatment and a glare that you might get from a stranger.
The number of roommate horror stories that float around online seem endless. Living on campus with a roommate that you don’t know can easily turn into one of those stories, especially if your living requirements and styles don’t align well.
While living on campus can provide some people with their ideal “college life” and more opportunities for engaging in social events, that is not the case for everyone.
For some, living on campus just creates anxiety and unhappiness with their living situation.
Choosing to live off campus in your own apartment is the best option for introverts and people who value their privacy. It allows for greater control over your living situation, and it helps you avoid those awkward and tense situations with roommates that you don’t know well.
Brooklynn Jolley can be reached at [email protected].