Helping Freshman Discover Their Next Home

Throughout this blog, I will attempt to help you discover where you might live next year while attending Texas Tech University. I shall also hope to paint an accurate picture of what dorm living is like, as well as what it would be like to live off campus. I will be providing firsthand experiences that I have lived through while living in a college dorm, I will also be providing input from others who also live in the dorm as well as someone who lives off campus.

Traditional Dorms

The most common type of dorm style at Texas Tech is the communal dorm. It is a two-bed dorm that has a sink, two desks, two dressers, and two closets. It also includes a communal bathroom that you share with others on your floor. Many of the dorm halls use this style of housing, including Wall/Gates, Hulen/Clement, Stangel/Murdough, and Weymouth/Chitwood. The primary benefit of living in a traditional dorm would have to be the human interactions. Being so close to others increases the likelihood of meeting lifelong friends whom you will cherish for the rest of your life. One downside would include the lack of privacy, as you are always around people.

Photo Credit: Texas Tech Dorm Rooms

Suite-Style Dorms 

The less common dorm style is the suite-styled dorms. This form of style typically consists of four private-rooms, 2 shared bathrooms, as well as a large living space. A few of the dorms use this particular style but the most significant, are Murray and Talkington. A benefit of being housed in the dorm is the privacy, because you will have your own room. A downside of this dorm is the extra cleaning that is required, as you will not have a communal bathroom that gets cleaned daily.

Photo Credit: BK4A3325 | Texas Tech University - University Student Housing | Flickr

Personal Experiences

The photo on the left side was taken in my own room, and it can help represent the types of experiences you will face during your life in a college dorm. These days will be some of the best you will ever have, so it's essential to enjoy every moment of them. In the photo, you can see my friend, Tay, getting his hair dyed by our friend, Isaac, while our other friend, Max, shows them something on his phone.

Another Personal Experience

Another personal experience I had that has shaped my overall college experience positively was when we had a birthday party for one of our friends in the hallway. This represents how close the community is and how everyone is able to get along, despite all of our differences. You will meet a lot of amazing people during your dorm experience, and these people will be your closest friends through your college life (and for many years after too).

Virtual Interviews

I have conducted three virtual interviews with some of my close friends to get their opinions on housing at Texas Tech. The first interviewee was my good friend Ethan, the second was my friend Raquel, and the third is my good buddy, Isaac.

The questions are listed as follows.

1. Do you live on or off campus?

2. What are some aspects of your current housing that you enjoy?

3. What are some aspects of your current housing that you don't enjoy?

4. What would you change about your current housing that could improve the experience?

5. If you could give any advice to incoming freshman, what would it be?

Benefits of On-Campus Living

Some of the major advantages to living on campus include being closer to classes, having the ability to walk to your classes is very helpful, this is because parking on campus can be very difficult to find, especially during the week. Another advantage is the safety and security; Texas Tech has its own police department just dedicated to the campus, and it helps you feel safer. One last advantage would have to be the personal growth and independence; you will learn how to be more independent and better manage your time while living on campus.

 

Source: The Benefits of Living on Campus: A Guide for University Freshmen

Benefits of Living Off-Campus

One benefit of living off campus is that you get to choose your own roommates, so you get to know who you're living with rather than having to share a room with a stranger. Another benefit is being able to choose where you live, which can help by being able to choose to be near a grocery store or a coffee shop. You will also have a lot more privacy than you would if you were to live in a dormitory.

 

Source: 7 Perks of Living Off Campus as a Freshman | CORT