By now, many of us have adjusted to new circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes students. As classes bounce back and forth between online and in person, and with other priorities changing, what you need in off-campus housing during COVID has changed, too.
Whether you’re a new student or returning one, looking for housing can be stressful, let alone looking during a pandemic. It can be overwhelming to sift through the available options.
Here are a few tips of what to look out for in off-campus housing near Ohio University, or in any college town, that’ll make your experience smoother.
A Good Workspace
As a student, you always spend a lot of time in your accommodation getting to grips with essays and research. This is amplified because of the pandemic. With many universities banning on-campus classes, you’ll find yourself working from home a lot more.
Your mind’s never going to get into study mode if you’re sprawled out on your bed! You’ll need space to make a dedicated work area so you can get it done to a high standard. Plan what’ll be going into the workspace; that way, you’ll have a good idea of your needs before you go looking.
A Reliable Internet Connection
It goes without saying; if most of your classes are online, you’re going to need reliable internet connection. By the end of March 2020, at least 1,102 colleges and universities in the U.S. closed their doors because of the pandemic. Many of those shifted to online classes so students could continue learning.
The COVID crisis isn’t ending soon, so your chosen education center will likely ask you to do some, if not all, classes online. You’ll need an internet connection that you can trust. It’s pretty easy to check speeds and connections online before moving in. If the internet in your area isn’t the greatest, look into a new package. Many providers even have excellent discounts for students.
A Kitchen Fit for Your Needs
COVID hasn’t just affected the way colleges and universities run. By December 2020, over 110,000 restaurants have closed their doors for good due to the pandemic. Many of those that are still running have closed temporarily or changed the way they operate. If your institution has a cafeteria, don’t bank on that functioning like normal, either. You’re going to have to push up your sleeves and get cooking.
You want to look for high-quality appliances that are provided and plenty of room. If your place houses 4 or more people, a small kitchen will become a big nightmare when dinner time comes around.
A Place Within Walking Distance
Another priority for off-campus housing is the distance from campus to home. Although COVID means you might not be spending as much time on campus as normal, many institutions will still allow you to use facilities like the library or study labs. Plus, when on-campus classes resume, you don’t want to have to negotiate a long journey every day.
Like-Minded Roommates
Living with people who have similar priorities as you is always a top priority when choosing accommodation. If you’re safety conscious and doing everything you can to avoid the virus, moving in with someone who isn’t as careful as you is likely to cause sleepless nights.
Get onto social media to connect with students going to your college and looking for off-campus housing. This means you can do a certain amount of vetting before you decide to get a place together. Facebook has plenty of groups specifically for students in off-campus accommodation.
We care about your safety during the COVID crisis, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Wharton Rentals for high-quality off-campus housing near Ohio University.
