Campus Living
Leaving my hometown of Aurora, IL and stepping into campus life at UIC my freshman year was a moment that I will never forget. The typical feelings crept in while moving in; excitement, nervousness, uncertainty, and immediate homesickness.
Now as a third-year student living in an apartment off-campus, I believe that the decision to live in campus housing as a freshman was great choice. Without it, I would not be where I am now. It helped me meet my best friends, become independent, and was close to my on-campus job.
Here are a few pros that living on campus at UIC has to offer:
Proximity to class
As an undergrad, you will most likely be living in east and south campus housing. The resident halls on east campus include the ARC, Courtyard, Commons West, and South. The resident halls on south campus include TBH, JST, and MRH. I lived in the Courtyard. These resident halls are close to classes, which ultimately results in saved time going to and from class every day, making your schedule more flexible, and allowing yourself more time to sleep in the mornings or rest in the afternoon. Commuting from my hometown would have been difficult for me, so living on campus was very helpful.
Amenities & Resources
UIC Campus Housing provides amenities and resources that help with a smooth transition towards living independently. These include laundry machines, study rooms, rooms large and small for socializing with friends, printers, computer labs, and much more.
Meal Plan
UIC provides students with the opportunity to choose to a meal plan. Students can pick a plan that fits their budget, schedule, etc. I was a fan of this because it meant I did not have to go grocery shopping, nor did I have to waste time cooking.
Socializing
Living on campus helped me make friends very quickly. I enjoyed time with my roommate and connected with peers outside of the dorm. Living on campus even allows you to find friends to study together.
I am grateful to have lived on campus, but the decision is yours based on many factors, such as costs, location, and overall expenses. I hope your time at UIC is as great as mine is!