At university level, students are free from their parents; and the administration has limited influence as to how they chose to live. As a result, some chose to live on campus while others choose to live off campus. We sought to delve deeper into the lifestyle of those living off campus at Daystar University, and discovered that cohabiting is a reality.
What are some of the reasons one would ask?
Financial
Most of the students that we spoke to admitted that one of the reasons is that it allows sharing of costs. Those who live together share expenses and therefore life becomes cheaper, and especially with the increased day to day cost of living.
Social peer pressure
The highest percentages of students are in their early twenties. This is an age where most of them want to be associated with their peers. As freshmen, female students are often lured into thinking that life off campus, living with a guy is the ‘in thing’ in campus. Little do they know that at the beginning of another semester, their boyfriend will be out following another female fresh man. And the cycle continues.
Fun
Some students get into this kind of life knowing well that it is not serious. They are just in it for fun, or to make life more interesting. As one of the students we interviewed, they claim that life is too short and one has to spice it up by trying out different things. Like him, many claim that at university level, they are finally free from their parents and therefore can try out anything they wish.
And the consequences are not without impact. As Abraham Lincoln once said, freedom is not the right to do what we want but what we ought. Is it really right to stay off campus so as you can cohabit, smoke and take drugs?
Another quote by Karen Pletcher’s states that freedom isn’t free, it cost a soldier a day. So the next time you are thinking of moving off campus simply because you want to be free, think of what this freedom will cost you.
The same students who agreed that cohabiting is not a big issue had this to say about some of its down falls.
Arguments/disagreements
Two people can never be the same and therefore at times, there are chances that arguments will arise on different things. As a result, break- ups occur. As one female student admits, when that happens life can be miserable. The second year student argues that this really put her down as everyone knew about their relationship. She could not even face her friends who had advised her against moving in with the guy.
Drop in academic performance
Our social life affects other aspects of our life in one way or the other. When people who were in a relationship break up, other aspects of their lives are likely to be affected. For students at university level, their academic performance is what suffers the most.
I have given you just a tip of the ice berg. I am sure that you can think of even more repercussions. Feel free to share your thoughts.
The following are also interesting links that I found on the issue.
Links:
http://www.ecampustours.com/campuslife/livingonandoffcampus/livingoncampusvsoffcampushttp://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1000601
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/campus-life/9870.html
http://www.daystar.ac.ke/
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