Breaking free of the on-campus world and bidding farewell to the FFC, sophomore and junior students flock beyond their usual perimeter in search of off-campus housing. Words like “rent,” “Internet,” “water” and “lease” are laced into our to-do lists, right under problem sets, readings and BlackBoard lecture slides. We shed a tear for the toilet paper rolls that will no longer be dropped by their doors weekly, the communal bathrooms that established the original shower singing quartet and the God-given meal plans that provided a stable source of food. But there is a time and a place for adulthood, and it warmly welcomes us with open brochures and “Off-Campus Housing Office” signs second semester.
In the end, the process is our first dip into the real world pool. Although it is just a small sampling, it carries weight and is an important first step. The Editorial Board believes that this experience — including the struggles and frustrations that come with it — is essential in our journey into adulthood. For many students, this is the first time they are forced to think about relative prices and quality of living conditions. What better time to take this giant first step than in college? Yes, we are on our own in looking for places to live off-campus for the most part, but the Off-Campus Housing Office provides resources that we can utilize in order to make the transition easier. Eventually, we will all need the tools necessary to search for apartments and other living areas on our own. Searching for off-campus housing serves as valuable life experience.
We are not alone, though, in our search for places to live off-campus. Instead of being thrown directly into the fire, we have the opportunity to utilize the Off-Campus Housing Office, which provides us with valuable information and tips about finding apartments. The availability of this resource is important; it allows confused — and oftentimes scared — students the ability to get their questions answered. This is a resource that artificially exists because we are college students doing this for the very first time. In other words, we won’t have another opportunity like this to ask questions and get answers and information. So if you find yourself confused or stressed out about the search for off-campus housing, first realize that it is entirely natural. Many students feel the same way, but that stress is an integral part of becoming an adult. And second, understand that there exists an entity that is specifically designed to mitigate the frustration. Use the Off-Campus Housing Office to aid in the process and ease the transition into adulthood.
Thus, the Editorial Board supports our off-campus housing dynamic here at Hopkins in that it allows students to better learn the process of finding their own housing and interacting with landlords while simultaneously providing the information and safety net to mitigate risk. This practice in such a controlled environment is crucial for living in the post-graduation “real world.”
