Tuesday, August 18, 2015

How to Enjoy Living Off Campus

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

If you have found yourself living off-campus, you might be wondering how you are going to survive during the semester, especially if you had not originally planned on living in off-campus housing. A lot of students find themselves faced with the difficult option of getting accommodation outside of campus grounds, either due to limited spaces in on-campus accommodation or other reasons. The good news is that there are steps you can take to ensure that your off-campus lifestyle remains pleasant, and maybe even enjoyable. Here's what you need to do:

Find conveniently accessible housing

If you are going to live off-campus, the first thing you should consider when choosing an apartment is how accessible it is from campus grounds. The last thing you want is to spend hours commuting from campus to apartment. If you can get housing that is within walking distance, not only will you cut back on hours that would have been spent on transport, you will also minimize transportation costs.

Consider your security

Only go for off-campus housing that guarantees your security. You do not want to live in a place where you are constantly fearful of attacks. It is a good idea to ask what security features are in place, and who is allowed access to the housing community. If anybody can come and go as they please, you are better off seeking accommodation elsewhere.

Get a good roommate

A roommate is capable of making your life in an off-campus housing community terrible or amazing, depending on the type of person/roommate they are. Therefore when deciding who you will live with, choose someone that you get along with and someone who will make it easy for you to love outside of campus. Constantly wrangling with your roommate will make your off-campus living a nightmare.

Choose to enjoy the experience

Sometimes, you have to make the conscious decision to enjoy an experience, however unexpected it came about. So even if it was not in your plan to live off-campus, do your best to enjoy this new experience. Make use of the facilities offered in your off-campus housing community. Say hello to the other students and make new friends. Join in the fun activities that students in the housing community organize. Purpose to have a great time.

Be accountable to yourself

Unlike on-campus living, off-campus living comes with minimal supervision, if at all. It is much easier to get lost along the way when living off-campus, since there is no one constantly watching over you. If you really want to enjoy living off-campus, take this as an opportunity to live independently and answer to yourself. Do what is expected of you, and on time. Pay your bills on time. Clean and cook when needed. Don't make your life hard by fighting with the natural order of things.

Living off-campus is a great experience that comes with many perks. However, you must be prepared to take the necessary measures to ensure that you enjoy this experience. Many years down the line, once you have graduated from college, you will be able to look back at your off-campus living years and smile.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Questions to Ask your Potential Off-Campus Housing Roommate

Copyright (c) 2015 Athens Commons

You have decided that you wish to live with a roommate in your off-campus housing unit. The problem is, you do not know of any close friend who wishes to live in the same area. This leaves you with the option of choosing a roommate from the sea of strangers who are looking for similar accommodation. How do you decide that a certain roommate is suitable and another is not? Here are some questions you should ask your potential roommate to determine whether they're a good fit.

Are you able to pay for the lease upfront?

This is a crucial question, because you do not want someone who is looking to sponge off your lease. You are taking in a roommate, not a dependent. As such, you must clearly establish whether the said roommate is able to meet their financial obligations as far as the lease is concerned. Do not get into agreements that will leave you in debt afterwards.

What's your ideal way of unwinding?

Depending on whether your potential roommate says, relaxing with a friend over a game of chess or throwing a huge party, you'll know what kind of troubles await you in the near future. Of course, there's nothing wrong with someone who likes to party. However, you must consider whether you will be okay with having parties and multiple friends crashing at your apartment, courtesy of your roommate.

Have you had roommates in the past? What was your experience living with someone?

Most people who are eager to get roommate status will lie about this. But if you are asking these questions in person, you will be able to tell when the truth is being stretched. It is necessary to find out whether a potential roommate can actually share a space with another person. If it seems like they cannot, proceed carefully.

Do you consider yourself a clean person?

Again, the answer to this question will be a resounding yes for almost everybody. Again, you might want to look out for indicators such as how well cleaned up they are.

What's your idea of privacy?

Just because someone is living with you does not mean they are entitled to front row seats to all aspects of your life. It is necessary to find someone who understands this; otherwise there will be major clashes along the way.

Are you okay with sharing duties?

Sharing a house means sharing in the cleaning and maintenance work, among other duties. After enlightening your roommate to be on what their duties will be, ask them whether they are okay with that. Do not coerce them to accept their duties, however badly you need a roommate. Find someone who can do what is expected of them willingly. This is the only way you will ensure peaceful coexistence.

College roommates go on to become some of the best friends you will ever make. But this only happens if you select your roommate carefully. So take time to ask the right questions. And if you feel like asking the questions as phrased sounds interrogative, spin them and fix them into casual conversation. The bottom line is that you need answers.


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Athens Commons offers student housing across the street from the University's Business School. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Athens University offers. http://athenscommons.com/