Living on campus, particularly during the first year in college, leads to multiple benefits that contribute to your student’s academic and personal success and helps create a greater sense of belonging. That goes hand-in-hand with increased graduation and retention rates among our students. And this is why we require students to live in our residential halls during their first two years at Pacific.
Marketing major Mariana Arellano ’25 lives on the Stockton Campus even though her family is only 35 minutes away in Modesto. Mariana believes separating her family life from her school life is important.
“There wouldn't be much home-school life balance if I did schoolwork in the living room or in my dining room,” said Mariana. “I had to have that separation. So now, when I do go home, I can be fully with my family and keep school at school.”
She has made many new friends at Pacific—most of them live right next door in her residential hall. She also has an on-campus job.
“Living on campus helps me academically, socially, emotionally and even physically. I have easy access to the gym,” said Mariana. “Here I have access to food if I feel hungry. I have access to my friends if I need that extra support. And if I do need to go home because I feel a little homesick, I'm not too far off.”
From a variety of housing options to proximity of university resources and making social connections, your student will have invaluable experiences while living and studying on Pacific’s safe and beautiful campus.
Here are a few more benefits:
Support
Students living on campus during their first year start college alongside their peers, which can make the transition to college much smoother.
Pacific’s residence halls have resident advisers who support students living in their buildings. RAs are trained and experienced students who oversee the safety and well-being of residents on their designated floors. They can help if there is a housing or roommate issue.
Convenience
Living on Pacific’s campus is all-inclusive. Your student will have access to housing, dining, Wi-Fi, and recreational facilities. They will live within walking distance of their classrooms, library, gym and administrative offices. They can also enjoy entertainment at on-campus events, the movie theater and concert hall.
Our dining hall has a carefully curated menu including vegan, vegetarian and glute-free items. Campus dining can be a time-saving resource that will spare your student from having to buy groceries and cook regular meals.
Academic Performance
Research shows that students who live on campus perform better academically. Your student will have easy access to academic facilities and fewer challenges such as commuting or preparing meals. In turn, this will allow them to be more focused on coursework.
“One of my biggest benefits is those extra minutes of sleeping in before having to walk to class rather than having to wake up early to have to drive,” said Mariana. “It really helps on those days when it's finals week or I have a big project due soon or I just have to get that extra time for studying.”
When your student lives on campus, they develop a greater sense of belonging to the Pacific community. They get to know their peers and professors and are more inclined to ask for help if needed. They also tend to put more effort into their studies and take advantage of campus programs and assistance such as Pacific’s tutoring or counseling services. Learn more from Pacific Supports Students’ Academic Success with Wide Range of Services.
Diversity
Pacific’s diverse campus environment can nurture your student’s evolving worldviews and extracurricular interests as well as social skills. They will have access to dozens of clubs, organizations and activities where they can meet peers from other states and countries.
Living and socializing with people of diverse ethnic and cultural origins on a daily basis can teach your student collaboration, respect and tolerance. By practicing these qualities with their peers in residential and dining halls, they will be able to mature and develop skills that will help them succeed in personal and professional lives.
If you have questions, visit Pacific’s Residential Life and Housing webpage or contact the office at 209.946.2331 or iamhome@pacific.edu. You can also ask questions in the comments below.
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