The New Move: Why You Should Live On Campus
Two students sitting together in a dorm. One student sitting on a bed and one student sitting in a chair.

The New Move: Why You Should Live On Campus 

As you research colleges and universities, you may start wondering, “Should I live on campus?” It’s a common question most students ask themselves as they consider what they want their college experience to be like. Fortunately, Thomas College offers several benefits for undergraduate and graduate students who live on campus, from a wide selection of campus living options to a serene location in the heart of Maine to an unforgettable experience that allows you to make the most of your time here.  

Live on campus in the style you choose.  

Thomas College offers affordable, comfortable housing for students who choose to live on campus. But you have more options than the traditional-style dorms offered at most colleges. We have five residence halls that provide multiple different styles of living for first-year students to graduates, including: 

  • Hinman Hall: Pod-style living for first-year students 
  • Grant, Parks, Heath (GPH): Single, double, and triple rooms for first-year and upper-class students 
  • Bartlett Hall: Suite-style living for upper class-students 
  • Townhouses: Suite-style living for upper-class and graduate students 
  • Village Residences: Double and triple rooms for upper-class students 

And in many ways, it may be a cheaper option to live on campus. All of our on-campus housing options include free essentials, like: 

  • Laundry facilities 
  • Wireless internet access 
  • Access to live TV with a Roku streaming device 
  • Study rooms 
  • Common areas 
  • Kitchens 
  • Student mailboxes 

So, not only do you get to choose the style of living that best suits your needs, you also might save on costs compared to living off-campus. It’s a win-win! 

Enjoy a wide array of on-campus activities. 

Another benefit of living on campus? You’re near everything you need, from academic opportunities to student clubs, organizations, and athletics. Life on campus puts you right in the center of all the activities, so there’s never a dull moment. Some of the more popular student pastimes include: 

Joining a club or organization 

With over 30 student clubs and organizations to choose from, you’ll have plenty of chances to dive into your current interest or hobby or pursue something completely new. Whether you’re excited to enhance your academic prowess, give back with community service, or perform for the masses, there’s a club or organization for you.  

Participating in a campus activity

From weekly events on the weekends to traditions that happen every year, there are lots of campus activities to keep you busy and keep your schedule packed. Join an open mic night, attend one of the Office of Residential Life’s WTF? (What’s This Friday) weekend events, or head to Canobie Lake Park for a day of amusement park fun.  

Playing an intramural sport 

Want to try your hand at Ultimate Frisbee? Join a Wiffle Ball team? Enhance your Cornhole skills? Thomas College offers a range of intramural sports leagues throughout the year, so you can find a game or team to join any season. All levels welcome! 

Attending or participating in an athletic event 

We offer an extensive list of athletics, with about 45% of Thomas College students participating in 19 different varsity athletic programs. Show your Terrier Pride either on the field as a student-athlete or cheer on your team from stands. 

Exploring Waterville 

One of the best parts of living on campus at Thomas College is our location. Waterville is close to all kinds of landscapes to explore, so you have your choice of outdoor adventures to partake in all year round, from white water rafting to skiing to hiking. The city itself has many excellent restaurants, shopping areas, art galleries, coffee shops, and student-friendly cafés. 

As you can see, the list of things to do on or nearby campus is a very long one. And if you live on campus, everything is at your fingertips.  

Make the most of your college experience. 

Ultimately, the main reason most students choose to live on campus is that it’s a way to get the most out of your college experience. You’re not just attending classes. You’re living, breathing, socializing, and connecting with all things Thomas College. You’re meeting new people, trying new things, exploring old interests, and creating new ones, which comes with some life-changing benefits, including:  

Taking advantage of more opportunities  

We offer multiple student services on campus at Thomas College to support your academic journey and future career. If you live on campus, that puts you in a prime location to explore all of the programs at your convenience.  

Forging deeper connections 

Living with your fellow students is a completely different experience from only seeing them in class. From afternoon ice cream runs to impromptu meet-ups, there are chances to bond more deeply and get to know each other better outside of the classroom and in the comfort of your own on-campus home.  

Creating lifelong memories 

Studying with classmates at the library. Meeting up with friends at your favorite coffee spot. Hiking on the weekends. When you live on campus, every moment is a potential memory that you’ll cherish forever and look back on fondly.  

Depending on what you want your college experience to be like, there are multiple opportunities to become fully immersed in life at Thomas College by opting to live on campus. Explore what residential life is like and find ways to do more with your time here. 

Explore Residential Life