The options for cooking at home are endless. Eating without a meal plan entails cooking every day and cleaning up after every meal. Some people opt to keep a meal plan for the ease of prepared food and simple cleanup. Moving out of the residence halls permits people to study in the quiet of their own homes without having to deal with a noisy study room or a rowdy resident. Roommates are still a factor, but study conditions in an apartment are often easily negotiated.
Noisy neighbors can still disrupt studies, but the problems are much less frequent.
One of the most pragmatic responsibilities a person assumes through the off-campus experience is money management. It may seem easier to just pay the bills in one lump sum and avoid budgeting, but there is no more practical skill than learning to manage funds. Maintaining sufficient funds and deciding how much is spent on each necessity requires responsible thought and action. It is very important to take all these factors into consideration before deciding if moving off campus is the right choice for you. Talk with friends who have lived off campus, or with employees in the Residential Programs Office to discuss any doubts or uncertainties you may have.