Living on campus allows students to fully embrace the college experience. Staying in a residence hall can provide plenty of opportunities to meet new people and join school activities. But campus living can also come with potential pitfalls. Learn how to avoid trouble spots while taking full advantage of the benefits of campus living.

1. Explore your options
Campus housing options can vary significantly between colleges. Learn about the various residence halls at your school, noting which features could impact your campus experience for better or worse. Some halls may officially cater to select interests. Others might have an unofficial reputation you should know about. Keep in mind that schools may have residency restrictions for students - particularly freshmen.

2. Be thoughtful about what you move
If you’re moving into a 10’ x 15’ room that you’ll share with another person, don’t bring everything you own to your campus home. Even if your living space is larger, bring only what you really need. If you own a car, consider whether you need it or if expenses (like parking) make it too costly. Coordinate with any roommates on what to bring so that you don’t have two or three of everything in your dwelling.

3. Get to know your new surroundings
If it’s possible to visit the place you’ll be living before school begins, try to do that. An early visit can help you decide what you’ll need and how you should plan for new routines. If that isn’t possible, be sure to take advantage of any residence hall orientation events. Campus kickoff celebrations also represent good opportunities to make your way around school grounds and get your bearings.

4. Know the rules
Regardless of whether you live in a residency hall, a university-managed apartment or another type of campus housing, it’s very likely there are certain rules in place meant to protect students. Many schools, for instance, ban drinking in residences that house underage students. Individuals who violate student housing rules risk eviction from a residence, academic suspension or worse. Policies and procedures can usually be located on a university’s residence life website.

5. Be a good roommate
Most college students who live on campus have at least one roommate sometime during their academic career. If you’re set to live with another person (or multiple people), things are likely to go a lot more smoothly if you make an effort to be respectful and helpful. Keep things neat. Pitch in on shared chores. Respect others’ privacy. In short, do things you appreciate others doing for you.

6. Pack your patience
No matter how hard you work to be a good roommate, it’s possible that someone you live with will make things hard - for both of you. During difficult times, keep a level head and use techniques to navigate and avoid roommate drama. Talk calmly about what’s bothering you, and seek compromise on tough issues. If things get too difficult, it’s possible you’ll have to seek another arrangement through the university.
7. Join campus activities
Need to get away from your roomie for a while? Get involved in plenty of activities, either through your residence hall association or elsewhere on campus. With wide-ranging student clubs and events, there’s no need to stay in. Even if you get along really well with the people you live with, university activities can introduce you to different types of people you may have never met before.

8. Make your way off campus
Student clubs and activities can help make living on campus a special time, but it’s a good idea to also spend time off school grounds. Campus can begin to seem like a bubble, and you might begin to feel claustrophobic. Go into the city and find some cultural and entertainment events that spark your interest. Find a museum or a park that you can visit when you need to get away from school.

9. Stay connected with others
You’re at college to learn, have a good time and develop into the person you want to be. That doesn’t mean you have to leave everyone from the past behind, however. In fact, tapping into the support system you had in place before moving to campus can be a big help if any difficulties do come up at school. Family members and friends can provide advice and perspective on hard issues.

10. Stay safe
This is the last tip here, but it’s obviously the most important. Employ basic tactics that can help keep you safe: Always lock your door. Don’t let anyone you don’t know into your residence. Never loan your key to anyone. Don’t prop open community doors that should be locked. Travel with a friend during nighttime hours. Check with residence hall or campus security staff for additional suggestions.