Internships, Exams, Housing off Campus… Can You Handle It All?

The school year is a very busy time for any student. There are internships to consider, exams to prepare for, friendships to build, and classes to attend. Leading up to the school year can also be a very stressful time of year. The first and foremost question on many students’ minds is “where should I live this year?” Answering this question and finding housing off campus will be a personal decision that is made easier when you examine your life at school.

Factors to Consider Before Finding Housing Off Campus

There are several factors to consider before you make the jump to finding housing off campus. To jump start this process, here are a few questions that you want to ask yourself.

1. Why do I want to find housing off campus?
2. Can I handle the responsibility?
3. Can I afford it?
4. What are my friends doing?
5. How will living off campus affect my school work?

You will also want to examine how you handle the stress of the school year. Do you like to find quiet places to study or do you prefer the vibrant atmosphere of a local coffee shop? Do you forget to eat when studying for an exam or do you rely on the convenience of grabbing a meal to go from the student center? Your answers to these questions will change when you move off campus. For example, you won’t be able to simply grab a meal to go, unless of course you count a fast food joint. Instead, you’ll be responsible for cooking your own meals, packing a lunch when you are going to spend all day on campus, and budgeting the extra time needed to prepare in the morning.

Additional factors to consider, include:

The impact of your on-campus job or internship.

If you have a job or internship during the school year, then you will need to evaluate your time commitments. Will living off campus make it easier to get to your classes, job, and / or internship on time? Will you still have the time needed to see friends, experience some down time, and eat meals, or will you be spending more time “commuting?”

On-campus vs. off campus social life.

Housing off campus provides you with the opportunity to explore additional off campus social events. However, before this can become a positive experience, you must first examine your current social life. Do you enjoy the spontaneous dorm parties? Will you still be able to go to these events or will you miss out? Where are your friends going to be living this year? Will they be joining you in an off campus living adventure?

As you can see, there are several important questions and factors that you need to explore before you can decide if housing off campus is the correct living solution for you. Take the time to talk about these questions with your friends, family, and even professors. After all, deciding on your housing solution is an important choice that can help you to have a successful school year. The Standard at Knoxville is a beautiful student apartment complex that is located right next door to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus. It features numerous amenities and provides students with an opportunity to experience a friendly community. To learn more about leasing at The Standard at Knoxville, contact a leasing specialist today!