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Anna Gatson English 101: Rhetoric Mr. Newman 22 November, 2013 Living On Campus: The Key to Success College is stressful, especially for commuters; the dropout rate for college students are increasing tremendously. According to Political 365, the author Lauren Burke states, 46% of those who enter a college fail to graduate within six years. Students have a tendency to dropout because theyre not use to being away from home and being held responsible for their actions. In addition, students drop out because they think commuting to and from school is overwhelming. Although some people believe commuting is the best option for college students, students that commute to and from campus often miss out on the benefits of involvement at their university or college that resident students have. After reading different critics, some believe by staying on campus, it brings students to the world called Independent. Tara Bryant, a student at the University of Kansas says, By the end of freshmen year, I was ready for independence. In the previous quote, Bryant explains that by staying on campus, it helps students become independent because they learn how to live life without their parents hooked to their side. Likewise, living on campus, helps them learn how to be responsible by waking up on time for class and making sure they pass their classes by asking for help around campus. I suggest students live on campus to learn how to become independent.

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The students who live on campus have more opportunities than those who dont live on campus. Students that live on campus tend to be more flexible with their time by asking for help such as attending tutoring sessions that are held on campus where they live. Janell Johnson, a senior counselor at Santa Fe Community College mentions, On a commuter campus, students often dont stick around after class for support groups, tutoring and other programs. On the other hand, those who live off campus have to set aside time to stay after and not go home right after class. For example, there are students I know who love living on campus because there are several tutors on campus to help them with their classes. Also, I know people who regret living off campus because they tend to struggle with their grades because they dont have the help they need at home. By students living on campus, it helps students gain a social life. Byrant states, But if I had lived at home, I wouldnt have met my new friends. An outcome of students staying on campus is it allows students to meet new friends. For the students who live at home and transporting everyday back and forth to campus, they tend to not have a social life unlike the students who live on campus who have roommates. Later, Bryant states, Im happy that I lived on campus because I supported my school. The outcome of living at home limits the students mind set of supporting their school. For example, students that live on campus tend to support the school: joining sororities, playing sports, and attending games. These activities can be a valuable part of the college life, so I believe that in order to gain a social life, meet new people, and experience the college life, students should live on campus. On the other hand, several people believe that by students staying on campus, it means that students dont gain the freedom they need. Some people believe that by staying on campus, that means there will be people around the clock to watch students and their every move. Some

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people believe that staying off-campus help students gain maturity and gives students the freedom they need at that age as a college student and a young adult. The outcome of being mature brings freedom. Michael Davis, the vice president for student housing division admits that students should live off campus while attending college. Michael mentions, Off-campus students housing allows for more freedom. Michael considers that by staying off campus, it helps students become mature and gain freedom. I disagree with Michael because I believe that by staying off campus, it blurs the vision on the purpose of being a college student. There are also people who believe that by staying on campus, it tends to lead young adults to forget the purpose of why they are at college and why they are living away from home. There are several people that believe that staying on college campus isnt as pleasant as staying at home and getting help from family. For instance, Hara Marano, an author and an editor of A Nations of Wimps mentions, Todays students are often well prepared academically but have zero experience in self-management as their lives have been highly engineered by parents, coaches, guidance counselors and other. Marano believes that students should stay at home and not live on campus because they are able to continue to get help from their parents and others that can help. However some people believe that by staying on campus, it leads students to follow the footsteps of others which is called Peer Pressure. Marano states, Staying on campus leads students to party more frequently. In Maranos opinion, he elaborates that by student staying on campus, it causes them to party, and lose their focus on the reason they attended college. Some believe that students forget the purpose of college which is to get an education but instead they do as they please by partying and drinking. Later, Marano mentions that the dropout rate for students that live on campus increases by the minute because they dont have an adult on campus

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to wake them up and make sure they dont miss class. Another author that agrees with Marano is Johnson who elaborates that Students who live on campus believe that they can miss class without getting caught. Little do they know, in the long run it affects their grades which leads them to drop out because their priorities are not in order I understand why people like Johnson and Marano believe students should stay offcampus but I believe it help students mature. There are some who agree with my beliefs that by staying on campus, it helps student become responsible and become independent. For example, my sister attends The University of Illinois. I believe that the college life, and by her staying on campus, is helping her become an intelligent young lady. I can honestly say I believe that by living on campus help students make wise decisions and choices. My sister isnt in college partying and not missing any of her classes. This is because being a college student, it helps some students learn how to cherish and manage their time wisely since theyre away from their parents who have been there for them all their lives.

Gatson 5 Works Cited

Bryant, Tara. "The Goldilocks Apartment." Room For Debate. New York Times Company, 28 Aug. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013. Davis, Michael A. "On Campus, Off Campus, Near Campus." Room For Debate. New York Times Company, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013. Johnson, Janelle. "A Commuter Campuss Pros and Cons." Room For Debate. New York Times Company, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013. Marano, Hara Estroff. "Campus Is the Ideal Place to Start." Room For Debates. New York Times Company, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.