major Jennifer Swisher says
living off campus is better in
some ways than living on
campus, but both have
advantages and disadvantages.
“We had a pool right outside,
tennis courts and sauna nearby,
and best of all — we could
cook,” she said.
Swisher adds that since there
were three other girls living in
the apartment with her, the rent
was a lot cheaper than living in
a dorm. Of course the trick is
getting as many people to share
the rent as possible.
Some apartments offer free
shuttle bus and even free
memberships to health clubs to
attract renters. Some don’t
have any gimmicks, but drop
their rates considerably.
Off-Campus Center student
assistant Anita Anderson says
decrease their rates by at least
$100 during the summer
months, but the cost of living
depends on the individual. If
you choose an apartment that
costs $295 plus utilities, you will
be paying a lot of money, when
you could have been living in a
dorm for a lot less.
Apartment rates this summer
range from $125 for an
unfurnished efficiency to $500
for an unfurnished three
bedroom apartment, with any
price and style variation in
between.
Regardless of where you
choose to call home, you don’t
have to stay there all the time.
Fun can be right around the
corner or down the street.
Swimming is a great way to
get away from the heat and the
books. Semester passes can be
bought at Wofford Cain Pool or
if you live in an apartment,
more than likely there’s a pool
very near.
If you can afford it on a
student’s budget, several of the
health clubs have pools for their
members’ recreational use. If
you have a car and are in
desperate need of a break, you
can drive to Adamson Pool at
Bee Creek Park, Southwood
Pool and Tennis Center, or
Thomas Pool at Thomas Park.
If a pool isn’t large enough,
Lake Somerville is about 25
miles away and the Bryan
Utilities Lake is even closer.
Both are inexpensive ways to
get away from school and enjoy
the summer.
For those who are old
enough, Dudley’s and the Dixie
Chicken will undoubtedly
maintain their attraction
throughout the summer and
several local clubs will probably
have happy hours and reduced-
price drinks as they have in the
past.
Road trips will provide a
release for tension, especially
when school really becomes a
bore. The ever-present trip to
Austin will continue to beckon
and Galveston will sound like
an adventure you can’t pass up.
If the heat doesn’t bother
you, tennis and golf will still be
around, provided you can find
someone to play with you.
No matter what you choose
to do for fun, summer in
College Station is not that much
different than anywhere else.
The best part about it is that if
you survive, that’s a few more
classes you’ll have behind you
when fall rolls around again.
photo by Susan McDonald
Students can find refuge from the summer heat at the Bryan Utilities Lake.