Off-campus living: sharing space, setting limits
By Marcos Moreno
Lately, it seems as if all my friends are talking about living off campus. And the underclassmen are curious about it. Where, with who, and for how much? I've been living in a house on Bellomy Street for over six months now, so I thought I'd dispense some free advice on the matter.
But first, what's so appealing and momentous about making the big switch from campus housing to the streets of the city of Santa Clara?
Yvette Mendell, a sophomore, claims the appeal of off-campus living is that you are more independent, you get to cook your own food, and you get to choose the people you want to live with. Business major Eric Gotthelf has a similar notion of its appeal. Off-campus living has a "more real-life feel to it," he says.
One of the most important things to remember before moving off campus is to get to know all the people you're going to live with before actually doing so.
It's not fun to live with people whom you don't like or worse, people you think you like and then realize (after a few weeks in the same house) you can't stand. And choose wisely, because these are the people you're going to be living with for the entire school year.
Something you can't really prepare for is housemate drama. Even if you are best friends at the beginning, it's easy to get fed up with a person you've been living with for a long time.
Brendan Harper, a junior, says his house conflicts never go past "Who ate my chicken?" and "Do the dishes!" But it's helpful to keep in mind that it's easier to work out your problems than it is to hold a grudge. Solidarity is important, especially when it comes to living with other people. Harper also points out that when conflicts do arise among your housemates, you should "talk to them the same way you would in a dorm."
If food, electronics and laundry detergent don't have your name on them, other people will use them freely. So put your name on everything. And if that doesn't work you might need to find a personal hiding place for all the things you don't want anyone else to touch.
When you move off campus, you'll find that you have to buy your own groceries from actual grocery stores and not the Cellar Market. And since you have to pay for it with real cash, it's necessary for your housemates to know that some groceries belong to you and only you.
Sharing is caring. I realize this seems to contradict what I stated above, but hear me out for a minute: Nobody likes a greedy housemate who hogs everything for himself. It's easier to get along with someone if you throw them a bone every once in a while. And plus, the more you give, the more you're going to get back.
Be wary of fair-weather friends. These are the people who say they're your friends, but only ever come to your house when you have a party. These people are not your friends -- they just come to mooch off of you.
"They'll say, 'Hey can we have a party at your house?'Ã " Harper says, describing people who want to take advantage of an off campus location. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot you can do about them, but it's something you should be prepared for.
It seems to be the popular opinion that moving off campus gives students a more liberated lifestyle. In many ways this is true. There is certainly less intrusion on the part of authority figures. What I mean is there aren't Community Facilitators going on rounds every night in the neighborhood.
But unfortunately, there is a much more severe group of people who keep the peace: the police.
A police officer won't come by to make sure your adjusting well to your environment like a Community Facilitator would. Let's face it, CF's know how to relate to students -- it's their job.
Evan Sarkisian, a CF in Swig, feels that off-campus living may lead to a more relaxed social life but can hinder students' scholastic progress.
"You have to take into account students coming and living away from their parents for the first time ever. It seems important to us that they make a smooth transition into living independently and by themselves," says Sarkisian.
For this reason, Santa Clara strongly recommends that first- and second-year students live on campus. The experience prepares them for the responsibility of living off campus.
No matter what your living situation is, it's important to maintain a healthy balance between one's social life and one's academic life. It is impossible to be a complete student without both aspects in check.
With that said, one last bit of advice: Talk to people you know living off campus and the people who are currently living in the location you are interested in for next year. The inside tips about off campus life and landlord issues will be invaluable. Happy hunting!
Marcos Moreno is a junior English major.