What is the advantages and disadvantages of living in university's hostel?

Question

I want the answer as soon as possible. Thanks!

Answer 1

The advantages are meeting lots of people and making alot of friends right away. It keeps you in the center of university life.
The disadvantages are the lack of privacy and overall noise level.

Answer 2

1. You will make far more friends living in dorms than otherwise. Also, you will meet people outside your department and area of interest, which is always a good thing.
2. University dorms are usually located on campus so most of the time within walking distance from the University. If they are not walking distance, there is a very good chance that there will be a devoted bus service to and fro the dorms. This saves you a significant amount of time you would otherwise spend commuting.
3. You're always in the middle of what's going on.
4. Usually cable, telephone, electricity, and high speed internet are included in your rent. (Check your university) I actually put off moving off campus because I realized that with all these utilities adding up, I would pay more off campus than on campus.
5. Most dorms are fully furnished.
6. Now for the disadvantages - lack of privacy. Unless you're getting a single room, most dorms put 2-4 people together in the same apartment/room.
7. Noise levels can get pretty high (but there's always an RA you can complain to).
8. If you're 21 and your roommate is not, you won't be able to keep alcohol in your room. They're generally very strict about alcohol.
9. Some universities require you to join their meal plans - which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. I had special dietary concerns so I got myself transfered to dorms with kitchens and off the meal plan. Oh yeah, not all dorms have kitchens. At most, they will provide you with a microwave and minifridge.

Good luck!

Answer 3

It's usually called a residence, not a hostel (the latter is for students touring Europe with a backpack!)

Having lived in one for a year, here are my thoughts.

Pros:
-easy to make friends
-lots of people around to keep you from getting lonely
-cooking always seemed like less of a chore because others were doing it at the same time
-the residence will usually be on campus, or very close to it, so it's very convenient
-depending on the country, city, and university, rent might be cheaper than living in regular housing

Cons:
-can be noisy, making it difficult to do any work
-people may bother you at odd hours of the night to tell you their problems!
-not much privacy, especially if you have to share a room with someone
-not much space, especially if you have to share a room with someone
-the rules are more strict than for regular housing, and you might not like this (e.g. they might specify whether you can have guests over, or they might make you do fire drills every month, etc etc etc)
-depending on the country, city, and university, rent might be more expensive than living in regular housing


I think it is generally a good experience for first year students, and for students from other countries. Talk to the housing service at the university. They may be able to give you some advice, such as whether one building (or a part of a building) is quieter than another, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Advantage - freedom
Disadvantage - freedom