Living on campus can provide some of the most memorable experiences in your college career. You’ll be gaining your first feelings of independence, meeting new people and making life-long friends. It’s also a commitment you won’t want to take lightly. There are a lot of considerations in choosing the right residence hall, and we’re here to give you the tips you need to make the right decision.

1. Location Location Location
   Southeast’s campus is beautiful. It’s also located in Southeast Missouri, which means HILLS. Physical activity is important for health and wellness, but when most of your classes are in Magill Hall and you live in Vandiver Hall (and you have a tendency to be late to class…), you might wish you had picked LaFerla Hall instead. Thankfully, Southeast’s shuttle service runs across campus throughout the day, so you’ll likely be able to catch a ride! Also, consider where your residence hall is in relation to other parts of campus. For example, Merick Hall overlooks Houck Field. Perfect for game days, because you can watch the game from the lounge! But if you aren’t really into that kind of thing or you prefer the quiet, watch out for morning marching band and football practices on the field.
2. Community Style vs. Suite Style vs. Apartment Style
   When looking at Southeast’s residence halls, consider what type of living situation fits your personality best. Community style housing is great for those who don’t mind sharing bathrooms as well as common areas. Enjoy the perks of socializing with the people in your hall! Suite style housing is comprised of multiple bedrooms adjoined by a bathroom and living area, and sometimes even a kitchenette. This option gives students more privacy, but you’ll still get to know your suitemates. Apartment style living is usually one bedroom, one bathroom. This gives you the most privacy, but if you’re a social butterfly, you’ll want to venture out.
3. Special Interest Housing
   Southeast’s Special Interest Housing are residence halls dedicated to students with specific interests. Are you an education major? In the Honors Program? Studying Cybersecurity? You can live in a residence hall with people in your classes. This is awesome because you’ll be spending so much time making connections with these people. You can support each other, study together and build life-long relationships.
4. Food is Fuel
   If you fancy yourself a chef, consider choosing a residence hall with a kitchenette. It’s not a full-blown kitchen, but it will have what you need to get through late-night study sessions. And if you HATE to cook, pick up a mini-fridge and stock it with all the snacks and leftovers from the dining halls. You’ll thank me later.
5. Freshmen Only
   Much like the Living-Learning Communities, there are halls reserved just for freshmen students. A lot of you are going through similar experiences when you move on campus, and it may be hard to deal with all on your own. Many times, upperclassmen have already created friend-groups and may not be as receptive to a younger crowd anymore. Living in a freshmen-only hall will give you the opportunity to go through the transition from high school to college together.