Cons and downsides
Living in off-campus apartments grants you the freedom to do whatever you want, unrestricted by campus rules and regulations. However, because you’re outside the jurisdiction of campus rules, this also means you are not afforded with the security and safety that the college provides. Remember that in off-campus accommodations, there are no roaming guards to check for intruders in the wee hours of the night, and no residence assistance staff to run to. Students who go for off-campus living may also find that they feel detached from the school community, because they’re less updated on campus events and activities.
Aside from security and safety, another significant downside to living in off-campus college dorms and apartments is financial costs. Off-campus accommodations tend to be more expensive than campus dorms, especially if the apartment is a bit far from campus. If this is the case, you might not be able to avail of student discounts from the landlord. Factoring in your expenses for books, handouts, food, house bills, and transportation (parking or commute costs), your overall monthly expenses can total to huge amounts.
Pros and perks
Off-campus apartments and accommodations do not impose curfews on student tenants. This means that you’re free to stay out late at the library or coffee shops when cramming for a paper or report. Another perk you get with off-campus housing is that you get to choose your roommate, and that’s if you even want one at all. Off-campus apartments are usually quieter, and you get more privacy by not being forced to share a room with someone. This also means that you get more space (physically, emotionally, and mentally).
So before deciding whether to live on or off-campus, collect and compare the rent rates of on-campus dorms and off-campus apartments found in nearby areas. Also try to weigh which, for you, are the more important elements of the college experience – whether peace and privacy are more important, or the sense of community living in on-campus dorms affords.
Photo Credit : Here In Van Nuys
When looking for a college dorm, there are some essential things to be considered. Remember that your college dorm will serve as your second home for the next four or five years, so you should at least feel comfortable in the place where you’re going to spend the rest of your college days. In addition to comfort, other important things to consider for on-campus housing are the following: location, financial costs, amenities, and privacy.
Ask or get recommendations from other students and upper classmen
There are good reasons why many people recommend living on-campus for the first year or two during college. One of these is that living in college dorms allows them to get a sense of community and make it easier for them to make the transition to college life. You can get information on on-campus accommodations from your university’s website, but it would be more helpful and effective if you get the opinions and recommendations of students and upper classmen who have experienced living in those campus quarters. When doing so, ask them about the following:
Amenities and privacy
Most students complain about having to share a bathroom with half of the students on the same floor. If you’re particularly picky about sharing a bathroom or bedroom with someone else, you can consider getting a “singles” room. This, however, may cost more as you’ll have to shoulder all the costs. Is the dorm building known for its spontaneous parties and late night ruckus? If you’re the private type and you want to concentrate on studying, go for dorms that are more low-key in popularity. There are lesser chances of frat boys and keg party people living there.
Location and financial costs
Even though these are on-campus dorms, not all are located near the buildings where classes are held. Especially for universities with huge campus grounds, some schools may even have shuttles or some form of transport service for students to go from one building to another. Depending on your preference, you can choose a dorm that’s close to where most of your classes are held or go for one that’ll give you a few minutes of walking time. More importantly, compare the prices of the available on-campus dorms to see if they’re within your budget.
Photo Credit : waffler
Violence in school campuses is not a relatively new concept. There have been documented cases wherein a lax security system in schools has led to school shootings and violent student outbursts. In the US, the more recent cases that gained wide media coverage were the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) massacre and Northern Illinois University shooting, which caused the deaths of numerous students and school personnel. When such events occur, US colleges observe maximum tolerance in their security systems and safety measures, but often fall into a relapse as time progresses.
Guns are strictly prohibited in all US college campuses, but as we learned through the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University massacres, students still manage to smuggle handguns and machine guns into college campuses. This says a lot about the need for US colleges to devise and employ stricter safety measures and security checks.
Safety measures employed in US colleges
Most US colleges have guards who roam around the university, including the grounds where on-campus dormitories are located. University guards are, more often than not, effective in controlling student activities such as frat parties, student protests, and keg parties, activities which can potentially lead to dangerous situations. Some US colleges have scanners installed in entry doors as a form of safety measure that prevents smuggling of firearms and dangerous weapons into the campus.
Some US colleges have also implemented a form of PA system for students and school personnel which allows them to receive school announcements and/or messages and warnings. This PA system works by having all the students’ mobile numbers, and dorm phone numbers registered in the school database, allowing fast communication between college authorities and their students. Some universities have also considered using a software that would allow college authorities to locate their students in case of emergencies. This, however, is still being discussed because some students feel that this system will mean a breach in their privacy. In the end, students and parents have to realize that the safety measures in US colleges can only attain maximum effectivity if they are employed and observed in participation with the students themselves, as well as with all campus personnel.
Photo Credit : tiseb
Bible colleges are institutions that specialize in, but are not limited to, Biblical studies. Some Bible colleges do not offer liberal arts courses, while some offer such disciplines but are framed within religious perspectives. Some Bible colleges also offer Christian and church music courses, as well as athletic programs. The curricula of programs offered in Bible colleges are Bible-centered and are aimed toward orienting students on Christian ministry and lay education.
Application requirements for Bible colleges
Similar to the procedures in regular colleges and universities, the application requirements and procedures in Bible colleges also include submitting your transcript of records, SAT and ACT results, and recommendation letters in the form of spiritual reference letters. In the absence of high school transcripts, a General Education Development or GED certificate may be submitted. Bible colleges also charge an admissions fee that can range from $25 to $80. The minimum required SAT and ACT scores vary depending on the Bible college, but these may be negotiable depending on the admissions committee.
Whereas other colleges and universities require admissions essays, Bible colleges require applicants to submit a a personal testimony or statement of faith. Those planning on applying to Bible colleges would do well to check out sample college admission essays found online to get a general idea of how admissions essays and personal testimonies are structured.
Sample college admission essays found online are useful resources for anyone applying to any kind of college. For Bible colleges however, simply add spiritual and religious slants to the elements found in sample college admission essays. For example, when writing the part about your personal background, discuss how you came to know the Lord, and why you think your chosen Bible college will help strengthen your faith and give direction to how you live your life in accordance with your spiritual and religious beliefs.
Photo Credit : josephpetepickle
Tons of movies have been made about the typical college experience; some are serious and insightful, while some show the more fun and crazy side of college life. To give you a better idea of what we’re talking about, below are five college-themed Hollywood comedy and “dramedy” movies you can watch before going off to college:
1. Old School (2003)
The movie’s tagline, “All the fun of college. None of the education,” basically sums up what the movie is all about. Old School stars Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn as three 30-something men who aim to relive the fun and craziness of college minus the school work. They start an off-campus fraternity and recruit misfit college students, losers, middle-aged, and elderly retirees as members.
2. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting stars Matt Damon as Will Hunting, a mathematically gifted janitor working at MIT, and Robin Williams as a psychologist who helps Will believe in himself and realize his potentials. Although Will is technically not a college student in this movie, his efforts are recognized by people in the academe.
3. Animal House (1978)
Starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, and John Vernon as college misfits, Animal House is a crude and hilarious parody of college life in the 1960s. Dubbed as THE college comedy movie that inspired movies like Old School and Van Wilder, Animal House is considered as a classic in the college comedy genre.
4. PCU (1994)
Also known as PCU Pit Party, the movie follows the hilarious misadventures of Droz, Tom, Katy, and Gutter as they make fun of socio-political groups including feminists, vegetarians, and everything in between. True to the movie’s tagline, “Flunk ‘em if they can’t take a joke,” PCU ranks high on comedy charts because of its merciless parodies on political correctness and propriety.
5. With Honors (1994)
With Honors stars Brendan Fraser as a stuck-up Harvard student who finds the last remaining copy of his thesis in the hands of a homeless man, played by Joe Pesci. Along with Moira Kelly, and Patrick Dempsey as Fraser’s fellow Harvard friends, the three realize that they’re learning more from the homeless bum than from their classes inside the walls of Harvard.
Photo Credit : hellochris
Apart from studying hard and meeting new people, you will also get to encounter different types of guys in college. Some are worth your time, while others are not. You can act nice initially, but if you have no idea how to handle them, you might end up being the object of their idiosyncrasies in the long run. So, read about some of the general types of college guys below and know how to deal with them.
The jock
Other than being involved in a sports team, the athlete is often serious about his class standing. After all, he is required to maintain a set of grades, otherwise, he will be taken out of his team (or have his athletic scholarship revoked). So, you might want to hang out with an athlete who can even influence you to live a healthy lifestyle. And when it comes to dating a jock, be ready to be invited to his games or to lend support even when he’s in training.
The frat boy
Fraternities are common in some colleges and universities in the US. Some are the healthy type while others are simply about the wrong sense of brotherhood. So, before you lend your most-treasured lecture notes or date any frat boy, learn more about how he commits to his fraternity. Avoid frat boys who are laid back in doing school work and who practice an irrational kind of brotherhood. Also, avoid a frat boy who is required by his “brothers” to share almost anything with them.
The smart one
You might like to be friends with or even date a guy if you think he is cool enough to balance seriousness and fun. A smart guy can serve as a role model, as long as he also knows how to deal with everything outside of his books. But if he is known for being detached from reality, is dominating and is intimidating, avoid him and just deal with other smart guys in class.
The parasite
At first he is very friendly and nice and you’ll consider dating or hanging out with him. But eventually, he sticks to you when he forgets to do his paper or to study for an exam. He even asks you to write notes about a lecture so he can photocopy later on. When you see signs like these in a guy, stay away from him next time. He is only using you for his benefit and comfort.
Photo Credit : thetorpedodog
