Living Off-Campus
This semester I’m living off-campus in Northampton, and am enrolled in the Smith testing program. This means I get tested on-campus three times a week, and can access all of Smith’s resources and events on Smith campus. For instance, I recently went to the bulb show with one of my friends who is living on-campus, and picked up a book from the library the other day.
I’m living in an airbnb that is about a 20 minutes walk away from campus with one of my friends from Smith and my girlfriend.
Our living room
It’s a really beautiful place that has worked out super well for us! There are definitely things I miss about living on-campus, and it’ll be fun to be back there next year, but overall this has been a super fun experience. Only ~3% of Smith students live off-campus, so most Smithies will never have this experience. I’ve definitely been utilizing Northampton in a way I never have before, and wish I had earlier. For instance, I’ve been taking a lot of walks on the bike path/rail trail, which previously I had only been on once or twice. I’m also right across the street from a graveyard, which I’ve taken a few walks around as well.
Our massive cereal/grain cabinet.
I’ve also been continue to cook a ton, which I really enjoy. At Smith it’s easy to access a kitchen, but i rarely cook anything more complex than pasta since we’re all on the meal plan anyway. All in all, it’s been really nice living on my own.