I am one of the few students not under stress due to the upcoming housing lottery, as I chose an alternative living arrangement. Rather than worrying about university-owned housing and the problems that come with it, I decided to live independently off campus next year.

Living on campus is convenient. You don’t have to worry about arriving earlier to drive to school, or better yet, worry about commuter parking. Another benefit is social interaction with other students.

But even the excessive amount of convenience has not convinced me to continue residing on campus.

Living alone is more relaxing than living with someone who does not have the same interests, who you feel a disconnect with, or who inserts themselves into your private life. Also, it will be nice not worrying about waking someone with a different sleeping schedule than I do.

Sophomore housing holds six to 10 people per unit. Many of my freshman friends in tight-knit groups are worried about finding additional people to live with. Rather than involving myself in the issue, I distanced myself from it.

The university cafeterias are another thing I will not miss. I will be able to eat the food I want, when I want, and not have to wait in long lines to do so. Plus cooking is an art everyone needs to learn sooner or later.

I cringe at the thought of having a public bathroom cleaned only once a week. It sickens me even thinking about how disgusting the bathrooms are when they get cleaned once a day. I’d prefer cleaning up after myself than dealing with the mess others make, regardless of how many “others” I live with.

The benefit of a solitary environment off campus also rids the need of walking to the library to ensure a quiet environment, avoiding the treks late at night through the snow or severe heat.

Living independently off campus will allow a balance between my private life and social life, which is something we must develop as we enter into adulthood.