How to pick out the best college dorm
Choosing the best college dorm is not easy
Living in a college dorm comes with a lot of perks. Besides actually getting a college education you are also being able to form some deep, meaningful bonds with your peers, enjoy the benefits provided on campus, and some research even says that it enables you to get better grades. Research doesn’t mention the parties and beer pong tournaments, but that is all part of the package. We have written about the most luxurious dorms, but that was only to bust your imagination. When the time is right and you actually need to pick a dorm for yourself, a lot of factors come to play. We have compiled a list of things you should consider before picking the dorm that suits your needs the best.
The cost of a student dorm is very important
Although you can be flexible with other factors, this one is pretty straight forward. Nowadays, you can find very affordable student housing, and you can always look up diversified paying methods and scholarship options. However, it is important that you know what is your limit when it comes to the amount, so you can look for dorms that fit into that range. Have in mind that paying more doesn’t necessarily mean getting the best dorm. It is important that you find a student dorm that is the best for you, based on your preferences and possibilities.
2. The location of a student dorm is a factor you can’t neglect
It is important where your dorm is located not only in relation to your home town or large cities, but also in relation to your classes, gym, possible internship etc. Most colleges opt to have dorms close to the teaching buildings, but that is not always the case. Besides, there are a lot of other places and buildings you are going to want to be close too. Picking the best dorm doesn’t mean picking the one closest to the the teaching building considering the fact that that is probably all the walking you will be doing throughout the school year.
3. Take a closer look at the overall appearance of your dorm
Should you choose older or more modern student housing?
When it comes to this, every dorm tells a different story, you just have to pick the one that suits you best. (You can look up some cool designs here) Most dorms have been constructed at the same time as their teaching buildings, so, although they have been renovated on multiple occasions, they have preserved the architecture and facade that gives a unique look and enables anyone to clearly see the tradition embedded into the building itself. Dorms are left like this on purpose, not only to fit with the rest of the buildings on campus, but also to honor the legacy, to uphold the atmosphere of a college that has been around for quite some time, and sometimes even to show, without even asking, the price of admission. However, even the oldest colleges had to spread at some time, and not to mention the new ones. So, if you are looking for the best dorms, don’t stop there. Perhaps some housings for students that have been built more recently will suit your taste better. In an attempt to attract more students, some universities opt for a modern, edgy look and use more glass, steel and vibrant colors when designing student dorms. Have in mind that what you see outside will significantly correspond with the way rooms have been created, as well as any other common area. Do you feel more comfortable in the Shakespearean library or a common room with a big flat screen TV? The choice is yours!
4. Student dorms are all about opportunities
Have fun in your student dorm
Let’s face it, college life is more than just studying. Choosing to live in a student housing facility opens you up to a lot more possibilities, having in mind that you will be surrounded by your peers every hour or every day. Well, okay, you might lack a little bit of privacy, but to have your friends around kind of evens the score. Living in dorms isn’t just about hanging out, it is also about taking advantage of all the other opportunities living on the campus provides. Let’s start with the most obvious ones, and the ones related to your actual education: libraries, study centers, study groups and some research facilities, based on your field of studies. Make sure that you have looked all of that up. In addition to that, many dorms offer a wide range of activities that are designed to improve your quality of life while you are in college. Among them, you can find gyms, swimming pools, wellness and healthcare facilities, and now even vegan restaurants and gluten free coffee carts. In addition to this, while you are taking care of yourself in such a responsible and mature way, don’t forget that you are also supposed to have fun. Because colleges haven’t. While choosing your best student dorm, make sure to check out what kind of entertainment are they offering. Typically, you can find TV rooms, game rooms, pool tables, and flipper machines. But, sometimes, dorms will go the extra mile, so check out their website and look for anything that interests you so you will be able to pick the best student housing.
There are a lot of other factors that come into play when you are choosing the best student dorm, and we have planned to cover all of them. But, for now, let’s just focus on what we have gone through so far. It is not going to be easy to find something that perfectly suits your needs, so try to make priorities, and do pros and cons list. Ask around people that have already went through the similar experience, and can help you out. In the end it comes down to you. Is having a TV room more important than having a huge library? Hey, we are not judging! Like we said, it doesn’t have to be the best student dorm, it just has to be the best for you.