Dorm Life: The Benefits Of Living On Campus

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Brian Moore

Commuters at Southern Miss often get looks of envy during the school year. What would it be like to get one of the commuter parking spots? What is it like to have all of that freedom of living off campus? However, the commuters see things a little differently. While some of them enjoy having all of the freedom, living off-campus gives you the feeling of being disconnected with the campus community.

Lacey Kux, senior marketing and human resource management major at Southern Miss, was a commuter for three years. ”I enjoy the freedom of having as many guests come over whenever,” explained Kux. “On campus, you are constantly monitored and must check-in any guests and you’re limited to the number of people, as well.” One thing Kux does miss about living on-campus is the interaction between all the students.”I enjoyed knowing that there was always someone there to hangout with right down the hall,” she said. “Another reason I miss living on-campus is the short walk to class and not worrying about finding a parking spot.” As a commuter, Kux has to drive and search for a decent parking spot every day she had class; which she says, “can be beyond frustrating.”

David Ishee, a junior coaching major at Southern Miss, has lived on campus since his freshman year. “This is going to be my first year not living on campus, but I’m living with four friends that I wouldn’t of met had I not chosen to live on campus my first year,” said Ishee. “Living on campus has benefited me greatly because it allowed me to experience college my own way, with other people my age and I was able to form friendships that I wouldn’t have been able to form if I was commuting back and fourth everyday.” Ishee continued to encourage every incoming freshman to think about living on campus. “Just because you don’t have a scholarship that requires you to live on campus doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t even think about it,” he said.

You may hear horror stories about some of the older dormitories at Southern, however I lived in one of the oldest resident halls on campus, Bolton Hall (shout out 2nd floor Bolton-2009). Here is something that may shock you…community bathrooms really are not all that bad! There are cleaning ladies who come and clean the bathrooms so that they are always clean…usually. The experience of living in a hall of girls is something that I will never forget, especially the midnight runs to Taco Bell…(BEWARE….that’s probably how I gained the freshman 15).

The true college experience relies on your decisions. What will you decide? To learn more about living on campus simply visit Resident Life, or call the office at 601-266-4783.