On a campus of 30,000 students, only about 3,000 at The University of Akron live in campus housing. There are many pros and cons to living on campus; the biggest con being the cost. For those living on campus, the experience is unlike any other.

“It’s like you have your own family on your floor. Your RAs are like your parents to guide you and your friends are your peers that are going through the same thing as you,” freshman Megan Brophy said. “They are always there to help you if you need it.”

Although living on campus and away from your parents may seem scary at first, it gives you the opportunity to break out of your shell and learn to be independent. You also have the opportunity to create lasting friendships.

“I like how it is a constant sleepover. You have your friends living with you so whenever you have a doubt you can just go to them,” freshman Amanda Montemayor said. “Being 4,000 miles away from your parents, it’s nice to be in such a close community and have people around you that support you.”

Adults always talk about how they met their best man and maid of honor at college. You never truly understand what they mean until you experience living at college for yourself. Being in the residence halls, you are constantly surrounded by friends, making it nearly impossible to not get close.

“I love living with my roommate, Jamie, who has become my best friend. We get along really well and love to watch Family Feud together. I never thought I could make so many friends with people on my floor so quickly,” freshman Hannah Greczanik said. “It takes the stress out of school to just be able to walk down the hall, knock on a door and have someone to talk to.”

There are a lot of fun things to do on campus and in the residence halls, yet some of the best memories are made during off-campus adventures.

“I’ve met so many nice people with similar interests,” freshman Jamie Vadnal said. “I love taking weekend trips to Chapel Hill, having frequent movie nights with friends to relieve the stress of classes, doing arts and crafts with my roommate and taking photo booth pictures any chance we get.”

Another benefit to living on campus would be the proximity of everything to where you live. Most commuters do not have a long trek, but after a long night of studying, it is nice have a few extra minutes to snooze before you start your long day of classes.

“The location is great; I can roll out of bed 15 minutes before class and still be to class in time,” freshman Aubrey Kozer said.

Such large residence halls seem intimidating because there is no way you will be able to get to know everyone, but they provide the opportunity for you to be able to find a group as there are many different and interesting people for you to meet.

“I like being so close to my classes and having adventures with newfound friends. Living in a dorm is a great way to meet new friends and be social, which is something my dorm last year at the University of Cincinnati did not offer,” sophomore transfer student John Brown said. “There were only 19 people in my entire residence hall.”

Living in the dorms at The University of Akron provides something special and makes your college experience so much different than living at home. The atmosphere and community in the residence halls is unlike anything you will ever experience and you will surely miss it when it is gone.