I know everyone who has ever eaten in a dining hall has probably seen the “reasons to live on campus” advertisements, but how many people have actually thought about what they say? While the dining halls obviously want more students living on campus, those ads bring up some valid points. I will be entering my forth year living in the residence halls. Why? Well, here are the top five reasons why I love living in the residence halls:

1. Residence halls are close to everything. Especially halls such as Scott-Coman, the Stephenson Complex and the Hill Halls. However, even Olympia Avenue is closer to campus than an apartment. Sure, Pullman has great bus routes to apartment land, but the buses fill up fast with so many students living out there. 
2. I am not much of a cook, so eating at the dining hall is a great deal for me. However, if you like cooking, the dorms all have kitchens available for use by residents. Also, if you are quite the chef and don’t plan on eating in the dining halls at all, after two years living in a residence hall you can opt out of the dining plan.
3. Let’s face it, no matter where you live, on or off-campus, you are bound to have a couple maintenance issues. I’m not sure how it works in an apartment, but I know in the residence halls, getting something fixed in your room is as easy as filling out a work-order. A maintenance person usually comes by the next day, if not the same day for pressing problems. And, you don’t even have to pay them any additional fees.
4. Many of you might be thinking, why would I want to live in a residence hall where my only option is to live in a long hallway of all the same gender in double rooms, sharing a bathroom with 30 other people? Good news. You don’t have to. Several residence halls offer diverse living options. All the rooms in Honors Hall are part of a suite, ranging from 4-8 residents with gender specific suites, not entire floors. Stimson, an all-male hall, has a similar arrangement with clusters of rooms. In Olympia Avenue Hall, you even have the option of a room with a private bathroom. McEachern Hall offers a living option similar to an apartment with all single rooms and semi-private bathrooms along with a quiet atmosphere for upperclassmen and graduate students.
5. Speaking of quiet atmospheres, the residence halls all have enforced quiet hours to ensure students are not disturbed during their sleep or study hours. If students break these rules, resident advisors are accessible to enforce the rules.