There is no place like home

Meredith Schneider / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

When you look out your bedroom window, what do you see? If you are a resident of Camino/Founders or Maher, you will see the intensely manicured lawn and classmates heading to class or playing Frisbee. You might also see a wedding party, a school field trip, tourists or your English professor. In that perspective is living on campus the most comfortable situation for a student? It is certainly the most convenient, but does it actually feel like home?

Living on campus is a transition for those who are used to the idea of privacy. Not only is there the communal bathroom issue, but there is also the fact that the vast majority of dorm-occupiers are forced to live with someone that they hardly even know, if at all.

Parking is consistently an issue and there are still various limitations that restrict freedom.”

Another major concern is the distractions that present themselves on campus. Everyone around you is your age and wants to socialize. Even with the consideration laws and silent hours, there is always something going on. In Missions A there were definitely more distractions than this year in my apartment in San Buen. It has a lot to do with personal space vs. common space, explains sophomore Shannon Cajka.

Senior Mackenzi Eddings preferred her second living space for studying. Sophomore year in The Vistas I still shared a room but there was a separate living room so I could sit in my room and study while people hung out in the living room.”

In the past four years, Eddings has lived in Missions B, The Vistas and La Jolla/UTC. Her experience both on and off campus has led her to the conclusion that off-campus is superior. It is cheaper to live off-campus for the most part. It is by far the best place to live. You get to pick your location and who you live with. You don’t have to share a room if you don’t want to.”

Resident Advisors are a major advantage to living on campus. Not only are they there to make rounds and enforce campus rules, but they are also there to make our transitions into college easier. I feel safe because our RAs are really nice and informative, freshman Becca Lovano says with a grin. The familiar smile from an RA is not present at off campus residencies, which may prove detrimental to some.

Convenience is a major benefit to living on-campus. “Being able to walk anywhere on campus within 10 minutes is so nice!” said Cajka. This convenience is a key factor when involved in activities on-campus. Meetings are quicker to get to, professors are easily in contact and events are right on your front lawn.

There are pros and cons to every living option while attending USD. Your personality and preference should be the deciding factor. Either way, it is important that research be done so that you get more bang for your buck.”