Education is one of the most fundamental driving forces that one can take control of in his or her life. There are many outside factors that may hinder or enhance the learning process. For instance, inconveniences such as long commutes, constant distractions by your immediate and/or distant surroundings, lack of a sense of belonging and so on are among the many reasons why students get distracted and discouraged at times by their place of learning.
What is one solution to such a problem? Housing.
Even though sometimes campus living is viewed by some as a place where loud, obnoxious parties take place, where students find different ways to misbehave, or where money feels as if it’s being flushed down the drain, it actually can cultivate lots of positive influences and thoroughly enhance higher education. By adding residential program to a place of education such as a college campus, it affects the learning process in ways more than one.
One of the most direct outcomes of campus housing is the time saved by avoiding a long, tiresome commute. It not only saves money on gas but encourages students to travel to class via other modes of transportation such as bikes, skateboards, campus shuttle, and walking, which all are more environmentally-friendly, healthier, and faster ways of getting to class. Fewer commuters also cause less traffic around and on campus as well as call for fewer parking lots to be made. Students are not constantly bothered by a vast amount of cars infiltrating pedestrian traffic.
Another major influence of student housing is that it cultivates a sense of belonging. Commuters find it harder to make friends since their schedule involves mostly attending class and leaving to go home almost immediately. Heightened sociability amongst the students facilitates a richer exchange of ideas; learning collectively causes the student body to grow and evolve through and with their peers. Campus residences also offer a great way to learn more about yourself through the jobs they offer. By having the opportunity to work as an RA or such other positions, students are able to develop their leadership and communication skills, both of which are extremely crucial in one’s education process.
An example of a community that has developed due to student housing is one at The Ohio State University. The university offers various communities that develop “partnerships with a variety of academic departments, faculty and staff… [allowing] exclusive access to activities that tie directly into their academic success.” These communities put together events in order to develop “connection to the classroom experience” so that students can get the most out of their education experience. Even with slight inconveniences aforementioned, student housing generally brings about extensive positive influences on the learning process.