Advantages of Living on Campus as an International Student

A lot of international students have the misconception that on-campus accommodation is more expensive than living off-campus. But that’s not entirely true.

In fact, there are several benefits that living on campus can offer you that will help you save time, money, energy, and give you room for personal growth and learning.

Other than the relatively cheaper costs, on-campus accommodation also opens doors for better socialization. Plus, you won’t have to go through the stress of traveling each day just to get to your classes.

To provide better insights into this matter, we collected the advantages of living on campus. See its benefits so you can weigh if it’s the right student accommodation for you.

Saves You Time by Reducing Travel

Imagine how convenient it would be to wake up each morning without having to worry about being late. Or the singular joy of arriving early to class because you didn’t have to spend a long time waiting for the bus or finding parking space.

Instead of spending long hours in the middle of traffic to get to school and coming home, you can opt to use that time to relax or study by living on campus.

Even better if your campus and other facilities are only a few walking distances away, because that way you can help reduce your carbon footprint (no matter how little it is). And it’s even a good way to exercise as well as meet and interact with other students along the way.

Here are some additional tips to further reduce your travel hours to save time:

• Consider renting a bike to travel back and forth to campus. Most study destinations have dedicated services for this. Don’t forget to check this out before flying to your host country. 
• Start waking up at least 2 hours before the start of your class. This will give you ample time to shower and get ready. If you can, you may even squeeze in some short readings for your lectures.

Saves You More Money in the Long Run

On-campus accommodation often comes with meal plans plus other amenities, facilities, and utilities that you can use as part of your rent payment.

If you have on-campus accommodation with a meal plan, you don’t have to spend extra money on breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You wouldn’t even have to spend more time and energy preparing your own meals since your meals are already cooked and prepared.

Other accommodations also offer access to Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and laundry. With those utilities, you neither have to subscribe to a monthly internet service nor spend more money to pay for additional utility bills.

It may not be a lot at first, but the savings pile up each day until you can see a significant change in the long term.

Add more of these tips below so you can save extra cash during your stay:

• Look into possible part-time job openings. Start with some campus jobs if there are any available. You can use the income you’ll earn to cover your other expenses for school or for leisure.
• Use an app to track your savings and expenses. It would be better to visualize your cash flow. This way, you’ll have a more concrete idea of how much to spend and how much to save.

Ensures Safety and Security

Since on-campus accommodation is often provided by the institution, your school is also responsible for the safety and security of its students. Therefore, you can enjoy the perks of top-notch security within the campus.

No college or university would risk its students by having poor building plans or not having enough security personnel and surveillance to guard the area. It is part of its duties and responsibilities to ensure that all students are away from danger when they’re inside campus grounds.

For an extra layer of security, remember to keep these things in mind:

• Never wander on your own at night. You may have evening classes wherein you have to walk in the dark. Take someone on a walk with you just to be safe. Make sure you’re both comfortable around each other.
• Keep a list of important emergency hotlines. Start with the number of hospitals and other related medical services. You’ll never know when you’ll need them, so it’s best to have them on speed dial.

Expands Your Social Circle

Having a great social experience is just as important in shaping your life as your academics. Being involved in social activities allows you to develop important life skills like empathy, patience, and balance.

Social activities are not barriers to your education. In fact, making friends and hanging out during campus-sponsored events will expand your interests.

The friends you meet along your academic journey are just as special as the degree you’ll earn. Living on campus will help you expand your social circle while giving you the chance to engage in activities that may give you life-changing learning.

Of course, making friends demands a lot of effort from you. Here are some tips to help you build your social circle:

• Join campus societies. Explore your interests by hanging out with people who have the same hobbies as you. Participate in as many organizations as you possibly can. This will help you become more well-rounded as an individual.
• Hang out in famous social spots where you’ll usually find the locals in the area. Get to know them more by engaging in casual chats and sharing your stories. Of course, you shouldn’t be pushy- just let it happen naturally!

Helps Improve Your Academic Progress

Since you’re able to save time and make more friends while living on campus, you also have more time to devote to studying.

While it’s true that academic progress can be measured in grades, that isn’t the sole metric. Your academic progress can mean being involved in more extracurricular activities or joining a new club at university.

With more time, more friends, and even more money in your hands, you have a lot of space for your academic efforts to grow. You’ll have more time to study, and you’ll also have friends who will support you in your dreams, just like how you’ll support them.

Need more study tips? Keep these pieces of advice whenever you need to sharpen your mind:

• Join study groups if that works for you. Learning with other people can give you a sense of motivation. But if you prefer to study alone, then practice discipline with your reviews.
• Build your daily routine. Motivation won’t always be there to push you to study each day. But with a routine, you hardwire your brain and body to perform dedicated tasks. That way, you don’t have to force yourself into working hard; your brain will just know it.

There are plenty of advantages to living on campus, ranging from less travel time and bigger savings. Find out more information on student accommodation here at MSM Unify to expand your options.