By Megan Osborn
When students decide to move off-campus, they often think of glorious freedom.
What students don't think of are the endless piles of dishes that seem to fill up the sink, not the dishwasher. Or the trash someone forgot to take to the curb on Tuesday for the last two weeks that is now spilling out of the can. Or the utility bills that make everyone want to unplug all of their appliances before they go to sleep.
While students may enjoy new freedoms off-campus, they must also confront the responsibilities of caring for a house and themselves independent of RAs, hall directors and the Commons.
Junior Jordan Fryer sees his move off-campus this year as yet another baby step in his path to adulthood.
"Growing up is the main reason I moved off campus. It's the next stage in my life," Fryer said.
Living off campus satisfies students who crave escape from the rules of dorm life.
"I was ready to live somewhere else, away from the restrictions of the dorms," said junior Robyn Gentry.
Students like Fryer and Gentry enjoyed the dorms for the first two years of school, making close and lasting friendships. Fryer explains that he appreciated the social aspects of his hall, but did not feel comfortable with the rules and authority figures of the dorms.
"I mean they'd hound you out and get you in trouble even if you were a good student," Fryer said.
The freedoms of living off campus can blind students to the numerous responsibilities that become apparent once they move into their new home. Utility bills, rent, cleaning and food are just a few nagging concerns that students must take care of, in addition to school work.
Senior Clint Niehus describes many students' realizations:
"Oh now we have to do all this real world stuff," said Neihus with a sigh.
Fryer admits that his new house comes with a laundry list of errands and chores.
"There are a lot of details that you overlook," Fryer said. "Like we just ran out of toilet paper, and now we have to decide who's going to go out and get a big package."
Different houses take approaches varying in creativity to deal with chores.
"We have a beautiful chore wheel that I made, it's on our fridge," Gentry said. "We reset it on Sundays."
Others take a more informal approach to chores.
"It's like when you were a kid. When you take out a toy, remember to put it back when you're done," Fryer said.
Junior Rachel Snyder is surprised that chores have never been a source of stress in her house where she lives with two friends from high school.
"We're all really meticulous about it," Snyder said. "We've never had to say anything about it, which is weird."
The problem of sustenance is another obstacle. Students who don't know how to cook can continue to avoid it. Others cherish their own kitchen taking the opportunity to unleash their culinary talents.
Gentry found it strange to come to college and have others make food for her. Her own private kitchen was a definite perk of moving off-campus.
"I make most of my food from scratch," Gentry said. "I love cooking. It's so much fun!"
Others struggle.
"It's difficult to find food when you don't have a car," Niehus said. "All I've been eating these last couple of days is spaghetti and toast, so I better find a way to get to the store."
Some might wonder how students stay healthy buying food on a college budget, but Fryer is determined to maintain a workout schedule and healthy diet.
"I concentrate on making things that are quick and healthy," Fryer said. "On days when I have more time I cook huge amounts of food and store it to eat for the week, mostly things like salmon and chicken with rice or pasta and vegetables."
Fryer finds his diet cost-effective, spending only $100 to a $150 on food in a month.
As a vegetarian, Snyder found the Commons lacking in diversity of food options.
"There was a lot of pasta," she said. "For me specifically, it's easier eating off-campus."
One of the main criticisms of living off campus is that it affects students' school performance, but some students deny that is a problem for them.
"It's easier for me being off-campus because I don't have a hundred people in the dorms to distract me," Fryer said.
"In terms of grades, living off campus doesn't affect me at all," Snyder said. "However, I do find myself studying a bit less. I think that just comes with getting used to college."
While students take on more responsibilities living off-campus, most students are still happy with their decision.
"It's more responsibility but it's worth it," Zageow said. "And it's more cost-effective for sure."
