LIVING UNDER THE LETTERS
An inside look into life at the fraternity and sorority houses of A&M
THE ESSENTIALS
What (and what not) to pack for college
LIVING RENT FREE
The pros and cons of commuting from home
CONTRIBUTORS
Editors
Zoe May, Editor in Chief
Sydnei Miles, Managing Editor
Hudson Elkjer, Art Director
Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Sydney Hale, Social Media Manager
Photographers
Quentin Deming
Writers
Ayla Francis, Maryhelen Guerrero, Lillian Haynes, Madeline Townsend, Lucy Belcik, Valeria Kolster
Designers
Olivia Ingram
Business and
Hayden
Logan
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
the essentials.
What (and what not) to pack for college
By Lucy Belcik, Staff Writer
First aid kit
Include basic pain and allergy medication. A thermometer is also useful.
Brita water filter
College Station water can taste pretty funky to those not used to it, so a filter is helpful!
Trash can
You may need multiple for your main living area and bathroom spaces; plan with your roommate and suitemates!
Swiffer
This is an excellent option for keeping small spaces clean. Dorms get dusty!
Small mirror
Your mirror will likely be shared and in front of your sink, so it may be useful to have an extra handy in case of morning traffic jams!
Bathroom rug
Dorm bathroom floors are often very small and tiled, so buy a small rug with a grippy bottom!
Command strips or painter’s tape
For hanging any decor on dorm walls. Assorted Command strip hooks are also super useful for maximizing storage in small spaces.
Outlet strip & extension cords
You may need multiple for your main living area and bathroom spaces; plan with your roommate and suitemates!
Common area decor (Off campus)
Throw pillows, couch covers, a coffee table, an entertainment system, buy as needed!
Simple dishware
A mug, bowl, plate and utensils is usually enough, unless you plan on cooking in your dorm’s kitchen!
Vacuum (Off campus)
Highly recommended if your new space has carpet. Shelf paper For lining cabinets and drawers.
Sleep mask/earplugs
Roomie sleep schedules will differ; these could help you get a sounder sleep.
Desk lamp or clip-on
reading lamp
Overhead dorm lights can be harsh, so smaller light sources can be both stylish and comforting!
Basic tools (Off campus)
If you are living in a house, these may be super useful to have on hand!
Small folder/binder for important papers
Keeping copies of vital documents like your Social Security card and birth certificate on hand is a good idea, especially if you plan to apply for jobs.
Photo by Quentin Deming, Staff Photographer
Aggie
George Bush Drive
Raymond Stotzer Parkway
John Kimbrough Boulevard
Joe Routt Boulevard
Houston Street
Wellborn Road
Penberthy Drive
Olsen Boulevard
Aggie Traffic Map
Restricted University roads 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. High congestion areas after 5 p.m. One way streets
Illustration by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Mastering the Art of Living Together
How to be a great friend and even better roommate
By Madeline Townsend, Staff Writer
Choosing the right roommate can make or break your college experience. Whether it’s your high school best friend or someone you’ve never met, college is
moved away from College Station, Lawrence was the best fit to their new home.
“[Lawrence] spent a lot of time with us over the years, and we all decided with our friendship that we wanted to have a house
relationship compared to other friends she knows who don’t talk with their roommates. Putting their friendship first has allowed them to not lose their special bond.
“It’s not, ‘These are my roommates, these are my friends,’ it’s really just coming in as a group of friends,” Lawernce said. “And yeah, there could be drama sometimes due to that, but everybody has the respect to at some point talk about it. With random roommates, it piles up because there’s not that friendship bond.”
With such close quarters, it’s hard to not see new sides of people.
Because the girls were such great friends, no strict boundaries were ever set in place, but communication was the most
“Any awkwardness — or anything we’ve been through — is just completely miscommunication, and once you sit down and talk with each other, [you] get over it, right?” Meade said. “Just being open with each other [helps us work through
When best friends become roommates, it can be easy for them to each other’s whole lives without reasons to separate.
“We each have our things that we do outside of each other and things that we do with each other,” Meade said. “Having distance and time without each other, and then spending time with each other, and not having everything as one.”
In order to keep things balanced, they work together on cleanliness and
“Let’s say someone cooks dinner ... we’ll clean the kitchen after they cook,”
Lawrence said.
“It’s more like just kind of keeping things clean as you
Hicks said she loves their close
“We’ve all seen the best parts of each other and the worst parts of each other,” Hicks said. “So, there’s no insecurities or worries when it comes to living together. We’re all very open about how we are and how we work together.”
Meade said being honest about who you are but also being thoughtful to others around you is important.
“Take into consideration that it’s not just you, there’s other people that you’re living with too,” Meade said. “Taking their feelings and their needs into consideration and not just thinking about yourself.”
Lawrence said to really get to know someone before signing a lease, especially when meeting on social media first because you never know when people are being authentic.
“I went into freshman year getting a random roommate, and it went downhill really fast,” Lawrence said. “It’s important to talk to them before, almost like an interview — kind of like online dating, and it’s okay to look at multiple different people. Don’t be scared to hurt someone’s feelings if their views on what they want [or] when they want to live with you don’t align — you could get stuck with it for two years.”
After years of living together, the girls have developed life-long memories. But through it all, their friendship has been able to become stronger.
“We’re more friends than roommates,” Hicks said. “It’s almost like a sister bond that we have.”
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Story by Sydnei Miles, Managing Editor
- Stick to the outer edges of the store for healthier, whole and unprocessed foods.
- Buy for five to seven days to not be wasteful!
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
- Limit yourself to items at eye-level.
- Put quantity over quality.
Welcome to Student Savings
Score up to an extra 10 % off when you sign up for a Dell Rewards account. Savings will be re flected in cart after membership veri fication. Exclusions may apply.
Join Dell Rewards for free and get 3% back in rewards* to use toward future Dell.co m purchases.
by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
- NORTHSIDEVS.SOUTHSIDE - MAKINGTHEMOSTOFSPACE
ONCAMPUSLIVING LIVINGUNDERTHELETTERS
Photo
An inside
look into life at the fraternity and sorority houses of A&M
Story by Ayla Francis, Staff Writer
“Oh my goodness – what did I do? Am I going to like this? How’s it going to go?” said Maddie Melson, psychology sophomore, as she arrived at the threshold of her new home, Gamma Phi Beta, this fall. “Then, immediately, a big group of them ran up and gave me a big hug, and I was like, “No, this is going to be okay. I’m going to like this.’”
Since her warm welcome on move-in day, Melson’s year in her sorority’s house has been marked by deepening friendships, unique memories and all the highs and lows of living with 40 girls under one roof.
In G-Phi, members typically live in the house for one year as sophomores and buddy up in rooms with one to three other roommates. Like the other mansions decorating the famous “sorority row,” each house holds common spaces for the girls to eat, study and hang out. With so much happening in one place, a method to the madness is a must.
Financial Vice President of G-Phi Delaney Smith facilitates house management with a fellow student delegate and their adult supervisor, or house mom, who they endearingly refer to as Mama Jo.
“We are the ties between the house girls and the house mom with all the events and everything going on,” Smith said. “Then we also communicate preferences for food so we can make a menu for all the girls that they actually enjoy.”
Melson expressed appreciation for this beloved privilege of requesting cravings to the chef that cooks each meal for the girls.
“On Valentine’s Day, we had a lot of chocolate strawberries, and girls were eating that up … so it’s kind of different from the dining halls in that it’s more catered to what we want,” Melson said.
Keeping a sorority house all in order has proved to be a team effort, Smith explained. Hired house boys keep the common spaces in pristine shape, and wherever they can, the sisters are trusted to honor each other’s space from decluttering their belongings to sharing laundry machines.
“We also have a woman named Perla; [when] there’s ever an issue with things not being treated with respect, we just try to communicate that as quickly as possible,” Smith said.
Melson said the convenience of living in a sorority house includes quick access to her work as G-Phi’s administrative vice president and automatic parking for weekly chapter meetings. Most of all, she reflected on the memories she will forever cherish, such as the simple day-to-day interactions with her sisters or swapping closet items for events or dates.
“We actually have house girl blind dates,” Melson said. “The boys bring flowers to the door, and then you go on a little date. The girls with boyfriends go with them. It’s super fun and something that the house girls look forward to every year as a tradition that’s unique to living in the house.”
As their treasured year living among their sisterhood draws to a close, both Melson and Smith expressed gratitude for the supportive and vibrant community within the G-Phi home and recommended sorority house living to any considering girls.
“It definitely teaches you lessons about living in a communal space and having the hard conversations,” Melson said. “But, these girls you’re living around are there to hug you on the bad days and celebrate with you on the good days.”
Photos by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts plus pool, ping pong and poker tables surely add together to make a chaotic fraternity house. Although stereotypes would label 28 brothers under one roof as disastrous, Sigma Chi runs their home with excellence, scoring the highest GPA at Texas A&M fraternities during the previous fall semester.
“It’s definitely work hard, play hard here; that’s a good way to sum it up,” industrial distribution sophomore Ryan Adamec said.
Adamec said he chose to live in the Sigma Chi house to be more involved with his brothers, and so far has enjoyed the activities of fraternity living. Whether it’s grilling, playing on the courts, hosting events or hitting the “shred shed” gym, the good times at the house stay rolling.
When it’s time to hit the books, the house brothers use their space to their advantage.
“We’re in the same kind of classes together, so we sometimes carpool to campus. … And then also it’s helpful that we have our library area downstairs where guys can take a little quiet time and get their work done,” Adamec said.
Along with the library, the house is split into several common spaces including the chapter room, TV room and dining room. To keep the place clean, chores are rotated among residents grouped together by the four wings of the house. House Manager Hudson Lilie said his brothers are happy to pitch in to keep their house tidy.
“On Sundays, we’ll have our deep clean day before our chapter, so all the brothers that live in the house will come out and help together to make sure that the house is clean and ready to go,” Lilie said.
Lilie also coordinates maintenance and projects with their collective budget.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn but also be able to add to the fraternity,” Lilie said. “It’s my way of giving back. One of my favorite things that we’ve been able to do is laying vinyl flooring in our upstairs room. … I love getting to make upgrades to the house.”
With the house in top shape, the chef also cooks to the standard. Using the outsourced company Upper Crust Food Service, typically adopted by all A&M Greek housing, their menu relies heavily on resident requests. Although the plan does not include weekend meals, plenty of delicious dishes are stocked up during the week.
“A lot of guys will request certain pasta, sometimes chicken fried steak or quesadillas,” Adamec said. “Then for some of the guys that are trying to eat a little healthier, he always makes some chicken breasts and rice and avocado.”
As member classes cycle through each year, they each leave behind their unique touch.
“In every person’s closet, everyone who lived in that room signs their name,” Adamec said. “Some of them have gotten painted over, but we have people from as far back as almost 10 years ago. When they move out, they’ll leave something for the next person, maybe hang it up on the wall: for example, I have a picture of the fraternity, like a portrait of it, in my room that the guy who had been here before left for me.”
With all the special aspects of living in a fraternity house, the brothers emphasized the lifelong bonds as the most worthwhile part.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience to be able to live with 20 or so of your best friends where you can see them every day,” Lilie said. “There’s never a dull moment in the house.”
Photo by Quentin Deming, Staff Photographer
This exciting collaboration between Student Life and local property managers is designed to create a supportive off-campus living experience for students. By committing to high standards in resident safety, property maintenance, fair leasing practices, and open communication with the university, we’re ensuring that students can thrive in their home away from home.
Join us in fostering a vibrant community where everyone feels secure and connected! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GOOD NEIGHBOR NETWORK aggiesearch.tamu.edu/resources
Laura
Northside vs. Southside
Which will you choose?
By Sydnei Miles, Managing Editor
Your assigned time is 8:00 a.m. on June 2.
It’s time to choose your dorm and which side of campus you’ll soon call home. You’ve entered the housing portal only to realize you’ve got 0.2 seconds to choose your desired dorm. So many options and not enough time. Give me the honor of helping you decide where on campus you’ll reside.
Which side will win your heart: Northside or Southside?
As a former Southside girl, I’ll do my best to stay unbiased — but I can’t make any promises.
Northside
As a Northsider, English sophomore Jazmine Gipson doesn’t regret her decision. A Posse Scholar recipient, Gipson was required to stay on the north side her freshman year, and loved it enough to stay a second year.
“I like having access to things and being able to get to classes without having to catch a bus or drive to campus every day,” Gipson said. “And for me, it’s just closer to everything I pretty much need.”
Public health sophomore Gariyelle Lewis is also a Posse Scholar and, like Gipson, has remained loyal to Northside since her start at Texas A&M.
“With Hullabaloo, they have Aggie Express there, so that’s pretty much a five minute walk,” Lewis said. “So, if I need anything or medication or something that is an emergency, I can just go there. It’s real convenient.”
The life of a Northsider is seemingly fast paced due to its central location and proximity to main attractions. If you’re looking to be close to the nightlife scene, it
just might be the place for you.
“It’s easier to go out and not necessarily have to worry about parking,” Gipson said. “A lot of my friends will come over to my dorm before we head out. We can put our stuff down, and then we can come back whenever we’re ready.”
With Northside being more central, there are more food options, offering more of a variety to Northsiders.
“We have access to Sbisa; we have Chick-fil-A; I like 1876 Burgers,” Gipson said. “You also have the Starbucks right there. And all the food across the street on Northgate.”
Gipson and Lewis both agree the quality and space of some Northside dorms could be improved.
“Personally, I feel our dorms could be a bit more spacious for the price that we’re paying,” Lewis said. “I just wish it could be just a bit more spacious, and I’ll be happy.”
“There’s some good dorms over here, but we also have some really bad ones,” Gipson said. “If you’re looking for something more cost effective, I don’t know, I’d just keep that in mind.”
If you aren’t someone who likes to be around events or prefer quieter spaces, Northside may not be the best fit for you because of its lively crowd. And the loudest of all: the train.
“The train is very loud, and it runs constantly,” Gipson said. “So, if you’re not into that, then it might be better for you to look elsewhere.”
Southside
Society, ethics and law sophomore Amiri Hardy was once a Northside resident
herself, however, for her sophomore year she was placed to be a resident advisor, or RA, on the southside. The change for Hardy has been a refreshing one and has improved her day-to-day schedule.
“One of the main perks living over here is the Rec is right there and the Commons is right across the street,” Hardy said. “The proximity is a really big thing. The MSC is not that far to walk.”
Biochemistry freshman Amariau Lemuel said one of the unique aspects to living on Southside is getting to see the Corps of Cadets and, in Hardy’s case, Reveille.
“You get to see a lot of the traditions being on this side, since we’re right next to the Corps,” Lemuel said. “So, I feel like if people care about traditions, they would probably like being on this side.”
One disadvantage of Southside is the limited parking spaces, Hardy said.
“The parking is not good,” Hardy said. “I have to park at the music building. That’s kind of bad at night time, because it’s an eight minute walk to get to my room. There’s a parking lot that’s closer, but then I need to buy a permit that costs more, and then the garage is full; it’s just too much.”
Lemuel said many of her friends live on south side, making it easier for them to meet up nearby at the Commons to hangout or go places together.
“I feel like we have a lot of events here, especially the Commons,” Lemuel said. “Whether you stay in the dorm or not, they do a lot of events that make you have the community here. So, that’s why most people know everybody over here.”
As you can see, everyone’s loyalty lies where their heart resides. Home is where the heart is, and it’s up to you to decide which side suits you best.
Photo by
McClintock, Photo Director
A look into making a home at college
THE MOST OF
Making your dorm feel like home is one of the most overlooked aspects while thinking about college.
Your dorm or apartment is where you will live for a whole semester, year or your entire duration at Texas A&M. Even if you are only in your dorm to sleep, it is still your space. Setting up your room in a cute and functional way will ease the stress of moving in the fall!
Know your hall style: When rooming in a dorm, you need to know what hall style you have. There are six dorm styles at A&M: ramp, balcony, corridor, Commons, modular and Hullabaloo. In addition, there are on-campus apartments available like White Creek. The difference between these would largely be the layout. A more detailed breakthrough can be found on the A&M Residence Life website. If possible, take a dorm tour before selecting your hall.
Get to know your roommate before the first day: Talking to my roommate was the first step in planning out what we wanted our room to look like. Luckily, my roommate and I have known each other for years, so this was not an issue for us. There are lots of students who do not exchange contact information with their roommates until they meet in person. Even though that can work for some, it may be more beneficial to have a conversation beforehand.
Have a floor plan: My roommate and I have a modular style room on Northside. We put our beds across from each other and placed our desks on the other side of the room. This was a layout that worked for us so we each had our own sides. We share our bathroom, microwave and mini fridge. Our bathroom is conveniently located within our dorm room, and since it follows a modular style, only the two of us share it.
Every dorm style is different, and though this layout worked great for us, it may not fit logistically for different sized rooms or for different roommate pairs. Talk to your roommate and figure out what you want to do before you move in so you do not have to move the furniture around after already setting
everything up.
Agree on a theme and decoration: My roommate and I agreed on a sage green theme for our dorm. We both placed vines and fairy lights up for a homey vibe. We have several pictures up in our room from our favorite moments. Our desk has objects and collages that remind us of home, which we find to be comforting. Our bedding is beige and green to match the room, and we have a large rectangular white and green carpet with ample space.
Pinterest was a great tool in helping us get ideas for how we wanted to decorate. Every roommate pair is different, so figuring out what aesthetic you both want can help plan what you need to buy.
Communal essentials: Since you will be sharing a space all semester, there are certain items you and your roommate will have to share. Here are a few essentials: a fridge and microwave, which can be rented directly from A&M, small trash cans and bags, bathroom supplies like a toilet plunger, and a water filter.
Essentials for yourself: It is important for you to have your own space, too. Apart from the obvious necessities like a mattress topper and laundry detergent, there are a few things that students find they need throughout the year. They include a desk lamp, small desk mirror and an extension cord. Lofting the bed helps store extra things below, which is great for smaller sized rooms, and leaves space for other room additions like a “living room.” Buying storage bins can be extremely helpful in storing extra items and clothes.
The most important thing to remember when stepping on campus for the first time as a freshman is to organize your room in a way that you love. A dorm or apartment may feel temporary, but soon enough, College Station will begin to feel like your home away from home.
Story by Valeria Kolster
The Battalion L&A Writer
Photos by Quentin Deming, Staff Photographer
“I
“Great
OFF CAMPUS LIVING
Photo by Quentin Deming, Staff Photographer
Are they worth it?
Which amenities and features of a complex are right for you?
By Madeline Townsend, Staff Writer
College Station currently has 101 apartment complexes, with several more in construction. With so many options, choosing where to live can be extremely stressful. One of the biggest factors for deciding where to settle down is amenities, amenities, amenities.
Whether you want the biggest pool in College Station or the closest walk to campus, figuring out what works best for you is key. First and foremost, the workers are the most important ‘amenities,’ said Lizzie Hernandez, Area Marketing Manager for Berkeley House, The Hudson and Cherry Street.
“What I always tell people is that off campus, or at least for Berkeley house, our best amenity is us, the workers themselves,” Hernandez said. “The LLCs and then, me as a manager, we try our best to make you feel at home and I try my hardest to ask ‘What do the students want?’”
Hernandez noticed the most popular complexes were those that catered directly to students.
“From our three properties, we always see people using the study rooms,” Hernandez said. “And I think that those areas get overlooked, especially when you’re coming to tour. But then we come to realize that most of the time students actually just really enjoy a
space outside of their room to study.”
With so many competitors in the College Station area, Hernandez focuses on the students and getting to know the residents as people.
“They like to be asked just ‘Who are you, what do you do?’” Hernandez said. “We talked about their pets, things like that. I would definitely say [parents] just like to know that they’re leaving their student with people who are going to care about them, or at least wanting to know that they’re seen.”
Finding what is important to each student is key to being happy in a complex.
“I know that the more amenities and the cooler they are, it makes the property seem like there’s a lot going on,” Hernandez said. “And that’s why it costs so much, and palette prices differ, but honestly, amenities should just be for whatever the students want and what they’re using.”
As more and more complexes go up on Northgate, complexes are balancing what to prioritize for students. Junior leasing agent for Otto, Grant Draper, weighed the pros and cons including socializing, location and pricing.
“Compared to dorm living, you have a lot of common area amenities that dorms don’t have,” Draper said. “You have a kitchen,
The London Swim Club
Photo by Quentin Deming, Staff Photographer
REV Northgate Fuel Up Cafe
you have living space, a dining room, and there are often times you have really great amenities, such as fitness centers and lots of study space … We’re a five minute walk to Hullabaloo. If you look at the disadvantages, I would say that you’re just off campus … so that means you’re not as close to everything.”
Not only are students choosing a place to live, but parents are often involved in the process and have concerns of their own. When thinking about getting involved outside of campus, Otto and Berkeley offer unique socializing events.
“Especially with parents [asking], ‘How can my son or daughter meet other people here?’” Draper said. “The biggest way we do that is through hosting community events. We have three or four per semester. The last one we did, we had vendors here at the Otto, and it’s a great way to engage with the local community.”
When it comes to catering to college students, Otto highlights amenities specifically designed for those late night cram sessions
REV Northgate
Two-story 24-hour Fitness Center
“[We] focus on creating third spaces, where people could interact and socialize, and not just outside of the daily 9-to-5 when it comes to classes.”
and stressful exam seasons.
“We have three dedicated study spaces in addition to three conference rooms,” Draper said. “During midterms or final seasons, Evans, [MedSci], major libraries get completely packed out. The developers of this property specifically built this property in mind of that. Our study rooms are definitely a selling feature.”
In order to stand out from the crowd on Northgate, Otto includes unique amenities to keep residents happy.
“The ownership team decided to build saunas here, which is really cool,” Draper said. “We also have a dog washroom. We have a bike storage room. Every property pretty much has a community lounge and a fitness center. We also have a full convenience store with food, drinks and snacks.”
Hernandez said safety features like windows are often overlooked in the decision process but should be important to all residents. Having a gated and locked complex is equally important, Draper said.
“We have overnight security whenever
a staff person is not here and they walk all the floors to make sure everything is good,” Draper said. “We also have cameras in nearly every single part of the building. … Every single point of our building you have to scan in. Security is just very important, especially here in Northgate.”
Amenities are more than an extra feature, as complexes like Otto focus on the effect they leave and opportunities they create.
“We want to create some type of third space when we look at our amenities,” Draper said. “‘How can the students interact?’ Whether through classwork or exercising physically or out in our courtyard with our big jumbotron, [we] focus on creating third spaces, where people could interact and socialize, and not just outside of the daily 9-to-5 when it comes to classes.”
Choosing a complex that suits the needs of individual students can make or break your college experience. When looking for your place to live, really look for what amenities are important and which aren’t.
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Photo by Laura McClintock, Photo Director
Living PaRent Free
The pros and cons of commuting from home
By Lillian Haynes, The Battalion L&A Writer
While most students can relate to the dreaded decision between on-campus and off-campus living, for many it’s not a question at all. Commuters, students who drive a sizable distance to campus from their home, form a whole new category of university livelihood, as they continue to live with their parents while entering a new stage of their lives.
Although currently living in an apartment off-campus, telecommunication sophomore Marcella Deer spent her freshman year commuting from her childhood home.
“It was just easier,” Deer said. “I didn’t have to move anything out; it was really nice.”
Deer felt that her financial constraints limited her in the housing market, making commuting the most effective option.
“I think it’s the money for most people,” Deer said. “I couldn’t afford a dorm and at the time apartments just weren’t feasible for me. Since I was going to go to A&M anyways it made sense to stay at home.”
Psychology senior Alis Flores had a similar story, having stayed at home to save money all four years of college. As a student interested in pursuing a post-doctorate, she also felt that it was the wisest decision to succeed in the future.
“I [had] family so I never felt lonely or anything,” Flores said. “And I could provide childcare for my niece and my nephew.”
These family relations are a big factor when it comes to deciding to move out or not, as strong family ties may push students to remain in their childhood neighborhoods.
“It depends on the relationship with your
family,” Deer said. “Just as you’re sprouting as a young college student, you don’t want to be having conflicts with your family because no one is going to understand.”
This lack of understanding with their peers can be difficult for commuters, as their day-to-day-lives aren’t the ‘typical college experience.’ Psychology senior Shirin Sattarova said her friends didn’t understand the effort it took to get to campus.
“I made a lot of friends with people who would not commute,” Sattarova said. “So they would ask to hang out at random times during the day when I would already be gone from campus.”
As a student who commuted all four years, Sattarova was dependent on other people driving her to and from campus, causing scheduling conflicts. This not only initially made it difficult to maintain friendships, but also be involved on campus.
Sattarova said that over time it became easier, as she encouraged herself to stay on campus longer and embrace her new lifestyle. This not only allowed her to become more connected to campus, but also provided academic benefits.
“I was also getting a lot more work done on campus than I was at home,” Sattarova said. “I would have really long gaps between my classes, and instead of coming home and then going back … I would work on campus in-between. So, when I actually did come home at the end of the day, I could relax and hang out with friends.”
For those that do decide to commute, students recommended taking the bus if available, as it reduces the complications caused by the complicated parking situation
on campus.
“I had to park in Lot 100,” Deer said, recalling how she had to arrive extremely early for any chance at a spot. “You’re leaving an hour and a half before your class starts, so it’s just insane.”
Flores said it was useful to have a bus stop only five minutes from her house, as she could better organize her schedule, and only had to depend on others to drive her a short distance, as opposed to the full commute.
“I also didn’t have to worry about paying for parking or any of that,” Flores said.
Sattarova said that she wished she had taken the time to slow down and adapt earlier, as she is now a lot more fulfilled. Having branched out her last two years and made more connections, she now finds ways to form her schedule to attend night meetings and join new organizations.
“I would tell myself to stay on campus all day long,” Sattarova said. “There was no need for me to rush back to my house.”
Regardless, commuters felt content with their decision, and urged those currently deciding on their living situation to make the choice that is best for them.
“If people want the typical college experience, live on campus,” Flores said. “But if you’re not opposed to not getting the full experience, then living at home is fine.”
Just like university living, each commuter has their own experiences and ways to adapt.
“Do the best with what you got,” Deer said. “It may not look like everyone else’s experiences, but it’s yours and you have the choice to make it what you want it.”
Photo by Quentin Deming, Staff Photographer
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mastering Off Campus Living: Budget Edition
Tips and strategies for balancing the financial transition to off campus living
By Lillian Haynes, The Battalion L&A Writer
As students begin the search for off-campus housing, many are preparing for a big transition. For some incoming first-year students, this means skipping the traditional on-campus experience and opting for student apartments instead. Altogether, this shift brings new responsibilities like budgeting for the upcoming academic year.
For junior Victoria Rosilez, there was a big contrast between her on and off campus experience. Her meal plan and housing bill were viewed on her school account whereas off-campus expenses are not as nicely laid out, Victoria said. She mentioned that the key expenses students should anticipate are gas, utilities, electric and water bills. One of the biggest challenges she pointed out was keeping track of her food consumption.
“I wish I kept a better track of what I ate
because figuring out the food schedule and the food situation was so difficult for me and even now it’s difficult,” Rosilez said. “I’m still learning how to budget my groceries; a lot of times I’ll buy duplicates.”
Junior Amanda Vega said the pressure comes with managing bills, especially at the end of the month. She points out that many students fall into the habit of spending on personal items rather than prioritizing essential expenses. Vega advises students to take advantage of student discounts and deals to reduce spending.
“I try to schedule things with friends that aren’t too expensive, such as deals around College Station, “ Vega said.
When it comes to creating a sustainable budget, Vega said she has friends who use apps or Excel Sheets on their phones to
track their spending. Along with tracking personal spending habits, Vega says that it’s crucial to talk to roommates about expenses.
“See if they’re on the same level as you,” Vega said. “If they’re taking forty-minute showers, leaving the water running, or small things like that, they could be wasting water and not saving money.”
Sophomore Paulina Lenz keeps her rent money in a high-yield savings account, then transfers the funds into her checking account before rent is due. This method ensures she’s always prepared for rent payment while also earning a small return on her savings.
So, let’s break it down:
parkwayapartmentscs
2818apartmentscs
2818apartmentscs
