Important Tips to Consider when Choosing Student Housing

A comfortable student housing will increase your productivity as a student. (source: Google)

Tips to Consider when Choosing a Student Housing. Many students choose to study outside of their hometown. Of course, student housing or student accommodations is necessary if you are not studying in the same city as you live. However, don’t be careless when choosing student housing. 

Your student housing will be your main residence during college. So, If you’re looking for student housing, don’t be lazy. Here are some tips to consider when choosing student housing.

Tips when Choosing Student Housing 1: Choose a Trusted Source

Before the current digital era, students often relied on acquaintances and word of mouth when looking for a place to live, such as student housing. As students enter the digital age, the amount of information available on the internet may be more helpful. Apps and platforms with attractive offers and special discounts exist for students.

With so much information on the internet, you have to be extra careful when making your choice. If you want to download a similar app, choose a trusted website and see user reviews. Also, check the owner’s contact details.

Tips when Choosing Student Housing 2: Check the Location of the Student Housing

The location is one of the most important things when choosing student housing. We highly recommend choosing a location close to campus.

As a college student, class schedules may be more relaxed. So, when you are done with your classes and would like to return home, having student housing close to college may be beneficial. For that, ensure the location of the student housing first.

Ask yourself if the student housing location is far from when you are studying. The ideal distance to campus is at least 2-4 km. However, if you don’t have a private vehicle, we highly recommend looking for the nearest student housing, about 500 meters from campus. In addition, the recommended location should also be strategic and close to the crowd.

Tips when Choosing Student Housing 3: Check the Available Facilities

Students living in student housing must pay close attention to the facilities provided. Because nowadays, plenty of facilities are needed to support lectures and have a decent daily routine.

It would be nice for you to ask about what facilities are available. At least ask about some of the facilities that will be obtained—especially facilities like WiFi which students very much need.

Ask the student housing owner if there is WiFi available. In addition, also ask about the electricity and water. All things must be asked in detail. So that there will be no problems later after you’ve paid and decided to stay at your chosen student housing.

Tips when Choosing Student Housing 4: Check the Room Size

Nowadays, there are so many inhuman student housings. Why is that? There is a lot of information circulating about student housing that is not worth renting. In fact, some student housing only provides rooms of size 2 x 2 meters.

Just imagine that. How could you possibly be comfortable in that place? For that, you can find student housing that is suitable for you.

Preferably, choose a room with a minimum size of 3 x 3. This size is comfortable enough for students to stay in because it is not cramped and allows you to store several items such as wardrobe, college necessities, and others.

This size is also appropriate if you’d invite your friends over and do your tasks together. So, make sure you check the size of the place first!

Tips when Choosing Student Housing 5: Pay Attention to The Bathroom

There is no denying that the bathroom is one of the most important facilities to check out when choosing student housing. If you haven’t considered this factor, you should put bathrooms in student housing as the first consideration. 

Make sure the bathroom is in good condition. It is not worth choosing if it is dirty, dusty, and overgrown with moss. Instead, for your own benefit, choose student housing with a decent bathroom. Imagine what would happen if a friend, relative or parent saw your dirty bathroom. It would be so unpleasant, right?

If possible, it is highly advised for you to choose student housing with a private or indoor bathroom. It will be more comfortable as you don’t need to exit your room to go to the toilet. 

Tips when Choosing Student Housing: Check The Safety of The Environment

Who said a student housing environment shouldn’t be taken into consideration? This factor is actually pretty important. It is best for students to choose student housing located in a safe and comfortable environment.

Choose a student housing that has a beautiful, peaceful, and comfortable environment to help you feel calm when resting. If you choose the wrong environment, it will make your resting time uncomfortable.

For example, when you select an environment that is in the vicinity of a factory. Of course, there will be factory noises that will disturb your rest in the student housing. Not to mention the resulting air pollution. Therefore, carefully check the boarding environment that you will choose.

Tips when Choosing Student Housing 7: Find out About The Occupants and Owners

Find out about the residents of the student housing. There are student housings that only accept certain genders, separating female and male students, while some don’t. It is even better to weigh the pros and cons and involve parents in the decision-making.

It is also important to seek information on the student housing and its owner(s) to anticipate anything that is not desirable or out of control. For example, if you suddenly get sick, you will need someone to help you buy medicine, take you to the nearest health center, or call your parents.

Tip 8: Appropriate Rental Rates

The last tip in choosing student housing is the rental fee. You have to consider the boarding prices and discuss them with your parents because they will pay the rent.

On the other hand, you don’t have to choose student housing that is too extravagant. Just adjust it to your needs while studying. Also, make sure the advertised price matches the quality.

Of course, if you are on a budget, don’t expect much from the facilities offered. However, it can be adjusted to the existing facilities.

Choosing student housing shouldn’t be done willy-nilly. It’s best to find multiple student housings for comparison. The tips for choosing student housing shared above only cover the essential factors. There are undoubtedly more factors that can be considered. You could try asking your friends or people who live around your campus for recommendations that may be useful. 

There is many other interesting information that you can access through the official UMN website. On the website, you can also choose the online registration procedure according to your criteria. Come on, register now and start your career with UMN!

Sources:

• Mamikos
• Kompas

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora