Whether you are a fresher or a returning student, one vital decision you have to make during your college life is whether to live in the hostel or off campus. Though it is highly recommended that freshers should consider staying in the hostel for a full session so as to be in a better position to decide for themselves. The idea is pretty good, but I strongly believe it is fully dependent on the student in question. But I have to tell you that during my time in school days, I had the luxury of experiencing both, that’s why am in a better position to discuss this.

This article focuses on bringing to our reader’s knowledge the advantages and the disadvantages of living either in the school hostel or off campus.

Let me start by saying that hostel life gives you the full opportunities of amusement and studies. You are constantly in touch with young people of your age and can do a lot of other activities except from studying. You can make friends with fellow hostel mates who have varied tastes and aptitudes which can help you out in studying as well. One may choose his friend according to his likes and interests and can spend quality time with them even after lectures or school hour. Mutual discussions of their favorite film actors and actresses, long criticism of the latest picture seen by them, and story-telling, adds charm to hostel life. Good arrangement of games and sports, including eating competitions, and day-to-day merry-making, make the hostel life a thing of envy for all. Apart from fun-leisure activities, hostelers have a unique unity and are always ready to help one another whenever needed.

However other advantages include:
One gets a chance to bond with classmates or hostel mates who turn out to be one of the best friends for life ahead.
It is less expensive to live in the hostel.
A student can take help of other fellows in studies if he has any problem with any particular topic.
When a careless and negligent student sees his partner or his neighbor competing for position, he also tries to follow his example.


Disadvantages of Staying in a Hostel:
In a hostel there can be illegitimate roommates known as squatters, this may cause nightmare to the real occupant making the room to be overpopulated.
In a hostel you might end up having a dirty roommate this can cause nightmare to you that enjoy cleanliness.
There’s no privacy in the hostel for those who enjoy and value their privacy.
You cannot determine how organize you can be while staying in the hostel.
Diseases can be easily spread among the hostelers due to the close nature of hostels.
Hostel bathrooms and toilet are a breeding ground for diseases and an eyesore.
Living in the hostel May cause ill-fated behaviors and lifestyle such as lesbianism, smoking to name but a few.


Advantages of Living Off-Campus

Freedom – Most Universities have strict rules that you must abide by if you choose to live inside the campus. On the contrary, you will neither have to fear a random roommate or hostel functionaries. You can decorate your room the way you want, have your girlfriend over, keep beer in your fridge, and use on site amenities. When living in student housing, what you do in your room is your business.

Moving off campus is truly liberating. It is your life, and you are able to live it to the fullest.

Adult Life Experiences – Living off campus offers you a chance to become an adult. It gives you more responsibilities compared to living inside campus. Besides the work you will have for school, you will be responsible for paying your rent, utilities, cooking, and coordinating with your roommates. This gives you a chance to experience what life is like in the real world. It is an excellent way to learn to deal with more responsibility, while enjoying more of your college life.

Make Your Own Choices – Another benefit of living off campus is that you get to choose the exact type of rental for your needs. You can select from a full-sized apartment, a studio apartment, or a house. It all depends on how much money you wish to spend on rent, and the type of amenities you are looking for. The more roommates you live with, the cheaper the cost of rent.

Bonding Experiences – Staying off campus for students gives you that bonding time with your buddies that you might not get if you choose the campus accommodations. There is nothing sweeter than sitting up late nights having random conversation with a friend.

Alone Time – Your off-campus apartment is a perfect place to retreat to for that much-needed time. As we all know, campus live can be stressful at times and sometimes, all you want is some time alone. Having a personal room that one can retreat to is typically not available for students living on campus. Your room is a perfect place to study peacefully, and or write that 20-page paper or revise for your exam that is coming up next Monday. In fact, you will find out you are more productive in your own place at your own desk; away from all distractions.


Disadvantages of living off campus:
Living off campus can complicate meeting up with friends or keeping abreast of events and social functions on campus.
Off-campus housing is typically further away from classrooms and other resources, requiring students to budget more time to walk or drive to campus, and commuting to school can be an obstacle.
Insecurity can also be a problem for a student staying outside school, depending on the location of his apartment.
It also requires a student to budget more money because you pay for almost everything you use such as water, light, food, gas or kerosene etc.

Source: http://africademia.com/2016/02/05/choosing-an-accommodation-hostel-or-off-campus/