Yes, college is about getting an education. It's important to go to class, complete your homework, and communicate with your professors. College is also about developing yourself professionally. It's vital to gain new skills, build a resume, and network with professionals and your peers to enhance your success after college. To me, however, college is so much more than the degree you earn and job you begin afterwards; it's about the life experiences and personal growth you have along the way. So much of that personal development you experience comes from the environment where you live, socialize and study. Throughout my two years at Wichita State, I have grown a lot, and I would like to say living on campus played a large role in doing so. 

As a student at Wichita State, I've lived in Shocker Hall for the past two years. This past year, I served as a Resident Assistant where I had the chance to support and guide students as they transitioned to Wichita State. Basically, I'm a big fan of living on campus, specifically at WSU. There's a huge benefit to the relationships built with your fellow students through the shared experience of campus living. Not to mention the convenience of being just a five-minute walk away from your nearest class or the Rhatigan Student Center. 

For first-year students, Wichita State has two residential hall options with a wide array of room styles, including Shocker Hall's traditional or private-bedroom suites, and The Suites' private rooms with kitchenettes. WSU’s housing options provide a variety of different styles for all different types of students, learners and residents. Shocker Hall offers a variety of Living Learning Communities (LLCs) for students who choose to live together to enjoy a built-in support system of mentoring, networking, and an overall enhanced sense of community. Each community is assigned to a specific area in a residence hall and organizes their own social and academic activities.

Overall, by living on campus, you're bound to not only engage in self-discovery and community engagement, but you're also likely to learn life skills that will boost you into your professional career. The memories and friendships I've made while living on-campus will serve as a standard of my college days for the rest of my life. Shocker Hall and Wichita State University have truly become my home away from home.