Part I: Housing advice for US-bound students

US universities use your housing preference form to make suitable living arrangements for you. You must carefully select your preference among single, double and triple dorm rooms.

Universities further compartmentalise on-campus living into two categories -- general housing and special interest housing.

General housing versus special interest housing

General housing denotes the basic or standard dormitory accommodation offered by your university. In most cases, this style of housing features fewer restrictions and is selected by a majority of incoming students.

Special interest housing, on the other hand, is designed for students who desire controls and rules in addition to the normal rules governing campus living. Most universities offer the following two options under special interest housing: 24-Hour Quiet & Alcohol and Substance-Free.

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Let us review exactly what these two options mean.
 
Most campuses feature 'quiet hours' during peak study hours (exam week) and during times when students are likely to be sleeping (11 pm-8 am on weekdays and 1 am-11 am on weekends). In 24-Hour Quiet dorms however, these rules are always in place; as a result, they are preferred by the more academically oriented students.

While talking in reasonable tones and quiet television is allowed during quiet hours, loud music and shouting will be greeted with first warnings and later 'Noise Violations'. A noise violation is a relatively minor disciplinary infraction, but it is always best to be considered in 'good disciplinary' standing by your university.

All universities seek to diminish the prevalence of underage drinking and illicit drug usage. Alcohol and Substance-Free dormitories, therefore, offer students an additional safeguard against exposure to these types of behaviour. Any student caught breaking the strict guidelines governing these dorms will not only face disciplinary probation, like occupants of general housing, but will also lose their dorm room and the right to live in such highly-esteemed housing for the rest of their stay at the university.

Losing your housing can be a tremendous hassle and will cause unneeded embarrassment, so if you select this option, be prepared to follow the rules dutifully. If you anticipate that alcohol will feature in your weekends, select general housing; the disciplinary counsellor will treat any transgressions harshly if you reside in a 'substance free' dorm.

There is no difference in cost between the two styles, but be advised, special interest housing goes quickly. Some students are leery to select special interest housing for fear of alienating themselves from the rest of campus, but this is absolutely unwarranted.

Students can party and visit friends in general living dormitories whenever they please, be as loud as they like, and still return to their special interest dormitory at the end of the night. Furthermore, special interest housing tends to feature quiet and clean dorms, free from the chaos of constant partying and misuse that general housing dorms experience on a weekly basis.

I spent my first two years in general housing and my last two years in 24-Hour Quiet living. My last two years witnessed a marked rise in my Grade Point Average, and my social life actually improved as well.

In general housing there were constant distractions, from video games to weekday parties, which kept me from devoting proper attention to my studies. In my quiet dormitory, however, I found myself in an environment geared towards academics and studying, but was still able to see my friends in their dormitories on the weekends.

A last word�

The housing preference form is an often overlooked part of the application and orientation process, but one which has tremendous ramifications. Make sure to consider each option and decide which is best for you and the best for your future.

Remember, it may be convenient to select a friend as a roommate or to live in general housing, but your long-term academic and social health may be better benefited by 'thinking outside the box' and considering other options.

Most importantly, however, take ownership of your accommodation and fill in your preference sheet as soon as possible. Do not make the mistake of allowing the university to blindly assign you a dormitory and roommate; fill out the questionnaire and be an active participant in your housing assignment process.

Part I: Housing advice for US-bound students