Living in off-campus dorms or lodging places for college students can have a lot of pros and cons. To illustrate, we have outlined some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in off-campus accommodations.
Advantages of living in off-campus accommodations
Owners of off-campus accommodations do not employ curfew periods. This gives students the chance to work late night in libraries or party till dawn. One of the perks that living in an off-campus apartment gives is that tenants have the chance to choose their room mates. These establishments also have rooms for students who want to have a room all by himself or herself. Aside from this, off-campus accommodations usually do not require student tenants to attend dorm gatherings and activities. So students have the option not to socialize with their fellow tenants if they don’t feel like doing so.
Disadvantages of living in off-campus accommodations
Living in an off-campus dorm or apartment will really give you the benefit of doing whatever you like. These facilities are generally not restricted by the campus’ rules and regulations. Although this might appear to be advantageous, it can also work against the students. The exemption on school regulations also means that the dorm is not included in the campus’ security and safety measures. There are no campus roaming guards that will protect students in the wee of the night.
Students living in off-campus accommodations might also feel detached from their university. Announcements, events and festivities are not felt in off-campus accommodations. Also, the rental fees in off-campus accommodations are also expensive than that of their on-campus counterparts. Not all students living in off-campus accommodations enjoy student discounts.
Expenses in off-campus living may also double. This is because the location of an off-campus apartment or dorm is usually far from the university campus. This means that students have to allot budget for transportation expenses.
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If you are living in a place far from your university or college, then why not consider looking for a college dorm? This particular college facility can be your temporary home while you are finishing your college term. But before you start to pack your things, take a look at some tips that will help you in your college dorm hunting:
Check out the dorm’s amenities and privacy measures
Remember that the college dorm will be your home for the next four or five years. So, it is important that you feel comfortable in it. The college dorm you should live in must have bathrooms that can accommodate the number of students living in it. Most students complain that their college dorms only have 1 bathroom for half of the students. Aside from the inconvenience that this setup gives, it is also unhygienic to share a bathroom with a lot of people.
If you want to have your own private bathroom, go for dorms that have “singles” rooms. But bear in mind that such special college dorm amenities will also require higher dorm rental fees.
Identify location and financial costs
Not all on-campus dorms are situated near the buildings where your classes are held. If you need to travel to get to your classes, calculate your travel expenses. Add that particular expense to your dorm rental fees and other living expenses. After that, evaluate if you can get by with the costs of all these additional expenses.
Get recommendations from friends and upperclassmen
It is very likely for upperclassmen to know the best dorms on-campus. Ask around. Doing so will give you the chance of knowing what it’s like to live in a particular dorm. The pieces of advice you can gather will also make your dorm-hunting easy.
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Over the years, documented cases of violence in campus colleges have dominated mainstream news. Lax security system is the common cause of such unwanted occurrences. Few of the popular college campus violence are the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and Northern Illinois University shooting. These massacres caused many casualties mainly composed of students and campus personnels. Whenever these events occur, you can be sure that the security systems of US colleges are turned on maximum tolerance. However, relapse still exists as the issue wore on.
What are the safety measures employed in US colleges?
One of the most basic security measures in US colleges is the prohibition on guns. Students, faculty and campus personnels (except guards) are not allowed to carry guns inside the premises of US colleges.
US colleges also have security guards who roam in and out of the university campus. University facilities and establishments such as on-campus dormitories are also included in security posts. University guards also function as party controllers. They help in ensuring that college parties such as those that are organized by fraternities do not turn into an uncontrolled event.
Most US colleges also have metal detectors and scanners installed at entry points of buildings and halls. This particular security measure is a convenient way of making sure that students and visitors do not carry weapons.
There are also US colleges that make use of a form of PA system that will allow students to hear and receive messages, announcements and warnings. One of the particular PA system works along with the school’s database of their students’ contact details. This kind of security measure allows college authorities to let students know of any danger.
All security measures are designed to ensure the safety of people within college campuses. However, such precautions can only be attained if all students, parents, college authorities and other personnel do their part and cooperate.
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If you want to specialize in biblical studies, why not enroll yourself in a Bible college? This particular academic institution offer courses focused on Biblical studies. Although the curricula of Bible colleges are not limited to this particular field, there are still those that do not offer courses in the field of Liberal Arts. Much of the programs offered in Bible colleges are centered on religious perspectives. Courses in Bible colleges also include Christian and church music and athletic programs.
Applying to bible colleges
The application procedures for Bible colleges are very similar to that of the regular universities. If you want to enroll in a Bible college, get ready to submit a copy of your transcript of records, SAT and ACT results. If you still don’t have your transcript of records, you can just send your General Education Development or GED certificate. You will also be required to submit recommendation letters that are written in the form of spiritual reference letters.
Bible colleges also require their applicants to pay admissions fee that range from $25 to $80. The minimum SAT and ACT scores that Bible colleges require may also vary. These scores requirements are usually variable so you don’t need to worry.
Other colleges and universities require applicants to submit a personal statement, Bible colleges also do. But they consider the essay as a personal testimony or statement of faith. If you want to have an idea about these essays, better visit websites offering free college admission essays. It is very likely for these online portals to have a sample of a personal testimony. Sample free college admission essays will also give you an idea of the things you should write in your essays.
You can also use other samples of free college admission essays for other universities. Simply customize the content of the essay. Instead of talking about your leadership abilities, cite your spiritual activities in your testimony of faith.
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A lot of motion pictures have been inspired by real life situations. College students can relate to a lot of flicks that have plots based on college experiences. Watching college flicks will enable college freshmen to have an idea of the upcoming chapters of their life. To make this statement concrete, here are are five “dramedy” movies that college people should watch:
Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting was released in 1997. The movie stars actor Matt Damon as Will Hunting. Hunting is the main protagonist of the movie. He is a mathematically-gifted janitor working for the MIT who does not believe in himself. Robin Williams plays a psychologist who helps Hunting realize his potential. The movie plot gives viewers the chance to view the lives of people working in the college environment.
Old School
This movie became famous for its tagline “All the fun of college. None of the education.” This 2003 film features Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn. These 30-something men want to relive the craziness of college life without the school work. The three start to build a fraternity that recruits losers, misfit college students and middle-aged men as members.
Animal House
Animal House stars Tim Matheson, John Belushi and John Vermon as college misfits. This 1978 movie is a hilarious parody of the 1960s college life. Animal House is considered as a classic because it was used as an inspiration for other college flicks like Old School and Van Wilder.
With Honors
Brendan Fraser stars on this 1994 movie. Fraser is a stuck-up Harvard student who finds his last remaining thesis copy from a homeless man portrayed by actor Joe Pesci. Fraser together with his classmates Moira Kelly and Patrick Dempsey realizes that they learn more from the homeless man than from their classes inside Harvard.
PCU
This 1994 movie is also known as the PCU Pit Party. This flick focuses on the misadventures of Droz, Tom, Katy and Gutter. The friends tries to make fun of the socio-political groups including feminists and vegetarians.
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Being in college will allow you to meet different types of guys. Some of them are worth meeting while others are not. If you want to know more about how to deal with different types of college guys, read the following. Below are some of the members of the male gender you will encounter in college.
The frat boy
There are a lot of US colleges and universities that house fraternities. Some of these guys look at fraternities as a form of brotherhood. Others look at fraternities as a means for becoming popular. So before you start dating a frat member, make sure that you know how he is committed to his fraternity. Much as this may sound as a cliche, don’t date frat boys who avoid doing school work.
The jock
Generally, athletes are very much concerned with their class standing and their involvement in sports. It is because athletic scholarships require athletes to maintain at least a decent academic standing. Date a jock that can encourage you to live a healthy lifestyle. However, dating an athlete will also require you to attend his games once in a while to show support.
The parasite
As much as possible, try to avoid this kind of college guy. The parasite has the ability to sweep you off your feet by his sweet gestures and remarks. This type of college guy will eventually ask you “favors.” He’ll ask you to take notes in class so he can have it photocopied. He will also sit beside you whenever he forgets to study for an exam. Don’t let yourself date this kind of guy. He obviously isn’t worth your time.
The smart one
Wanting to date a guy who can balance fun with school work? Then be in the hunt for this type of college guy. The smart one can be your role model. He can also help you out if you are having a hard time with your lessons. He can even provide insights in your school work. However, avoid dating smart guys who are too detached from the real world. Some of them might also be too domineering. So better take extra care when dealing with this type of college guys.
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