Most Auburn freshmen live on campus in the residence halls.
Few sophomores or juniors live on campus, and even fewer seniors live on campus.
I am in that small percentage of Auburn seniors who live in the residence halls. I have lived on campus all four years in college.
Most people look at me funny when I say I live on campus. I have private security, personal trash collection, complimentary cleaning services and I don't have to cook -- what more could you ask for?
There are four housing areas on campus now -- South Donahue, the Village, the Quad and the Hill.
Each housing area has its own personality and each area is set up differently.
In the Hill, there are 12 residence halls, all in a cluster focused around the dining hall, Terrell (some pronounce it Ter-rail, I don't judge).
The Quad has 10 residence halls divided into upper and lower sections. These halls are on central campus.
The Village has eight residence halls and a dining hall.
The South Donahue Residence Hall is one hall, but houses 418 students.
Many people do not see the silver lining, but living on campus has perks. I have unlimited hot water, fantastic WiFi (who are we kidding, it's not THAT great) and Antarctic air conditioning. My air conditioner has two settings -- soul-freezingly cold or off.
After living on campus for three years, you learn the prime time for laundry, the best food places, the best parking places and the quickest way to the Haley Center. You learn which washers don't have nasty encrusted into them and which dryers are portals to hell.
Harvard University estimated 97 percent of their undergraduate students live on campus. There's a reason for that, and it has to do with academics. Living in the dorms provides structure because you never leave the University setting. I think, living on campus provides students with an academic structure. Since I live on campus, everything is more convenient.
I can walk to the library or hitch a ride on the Security Shuttle (known in other social circles as the drunk bus).
Most students think parking on Auburn's campus is a nightmare.
Since I live in the dorms, I can park right outside and merrily skip to my room. I mostly walk everywhere and central campus is right across the street.
But let me be frank, living on campus has a downside. I can't tell you how many times I've been woken up from a delightful nap by the banshee lady trapped in the fire alarm because someone tried to microwave their Pop-Tart with the wrapper still on, or tried to see if their popcorn could begin nuclear fusion.
If I had the choice, I would not live anywhere else in Auburn. Living on Auburn's campus is like a home away from home. I do not see my room as a concrete prison, like some on-campus residents.
When you get to the front door with your Tiger Card, there is always a smiling face to greet you or some sobbing fool who has been locked out for a day and a night.
Living on campus is what you make of it.
You can hate the structure and be miserable, or embrace the community you share with the other residents, and make the best of it. When you live on campus, you realize there is something always going on.
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