Where is your next 'home'?

So, you've been admitted to the University of Illinois and you have finally decided on housing. For some, it may have been a tough decision while for others it may not have been a big deal.  How did you decide where you will be spending countless hours studying, sleeping, and basically just hanging out?

Well, the University of Illinois has a lot of options for housing including: dorms, certified private housing, Greek housing, and apartments.  For more information visit University Housing at http://www.housing.illinois.edu

Since I am a transfer student, I'm sure the dorm life was a much different experience for me than if I had lived in the dorms at U of I. I lived in the dorms my freshman year and absolutely loved it, the picture on the left is of my dorm room.  

My dorm hall was a tight-knit group of friends.  No one would guess at one point we were all strangers.  Still today, even 100 miles apart, I talk to many of those individuals.  In fact, my suitmate is one of my best friends (we had two rooms to one bathroom, so the students in the room we shared a bathroom were called our suitmates). The dorms are a great option because you get to meet so many people.  As an added bonus most of the dorms include cafeteria food, which also means not having to leave your dorm when it is 5 degrees outside in the Champaign winter!

Sophomore year, I moved off campus into a townhouse.  This was not part of University Housing and I honestly regret this decision.  Living off campus I did not feel as involved in organizations because I would have to drive into campus for extracurricular activities. I'm a very social person and while living off campus was not able to interact as much with my friends because we were very spread apart.

Junior year is when I transferred to the University of Illinois.  I joined a sorority and lived with 55 other girls.  That seems like a lot, but it doesn't feel like this many girls are in one house.  A sorority is a great option if you are looking for sisterhood, service, social life, and academics.  Of course, I might be biased on the sorority life but I feel it makes a person well-rounded.  Some sororities on campus do not have houses and this may be an option for you as an incoming student.  Now, going Greek isn't for everyone and this is understandable. 

Now, it is my senior year and where am I living? Well, I'll be moving back into the sorority house to not only live with one of my best friends, but 54 others! The photo to the right is part of my pledge class in the sorority on an ice-skating event. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with the new members who will be moving into the house in August.

That is my personal experience on housing, now where will you be living?