The College Dilemma

Emily Baxter, Web Editor

I’ve been thankful to enjoy the commuter life and, now, living on campus, too. Which one is better? Well, it’s a toss-up, but here are some pros and cons of both living on campus and commuting.

PROS: COMMUTER LIFE

• Get to have a special lounge in Tompkins College Center all to yourself! It’s quiet comfy, and includes a kitchen where you can make your own meals.
• You have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want. And no, it’s not okay to go to Menchie’s instead of lecture.
• At the end of the day, you get to sleep in your own bed! Not the dorm bed, your bed! Who can’t get excited about that?

CONS: COMMUTER LIFE

• You never have the experience of trying out the showers. They may be cramped and small, but hey, you don’t have to clean them!
• Night classes. Driving home at night gives you fright!
• That one time that a huge rainstorm with thunder and lightning greeted you as you drove the one-hour commute to campus.

PROS: LIVING ON CAMPUS

• You can decorate your room any way you want. There are no parents or guardians to tell you that Justin Bieber cannot go on your walls.
• The common room is the best place to hang out. Doing homework while watching “Pretty Little Liars”? Score!
• Your classes are all here. No more driving too many miles to come to campus every day.

CONS: LIVING ON CAMPUS

• Don’t forget about Dining Hall food!
• Unfortunately, your roommate is completely out of control. She doesn’t respect your space or your privacy.
• Why is the wireless not working?

There isn’t a wrong or right way for making a decision to be or not to be on campus. It’s a personal choice. I was dissatisfied with commuting because I relied on my parents to take me to and from school. So this semester, I decided I would try living on campus again. I really like living on campus, but as with many things, there are the pros and cons.

Whatever choice you make, you should make it for something that’s best suited to you. If it were basketball, maybe living on campus would be great, as you would get to practices without wasting gas. If it were a club that met only on a certain day, maybe you can commute. It all depends on what you think is best for you.