As you consider your graduate school options, it's important to keep the living situation in mind. If you're stumped about what sort of living arrangement to make for your graduate school years, here are some options to help you make the choice that best suits your needs.

On-Campus Graduate Housing
If you like to be on campus and grad school housing is available, go for it. Some students making the transition directly from undergrad into grad school feel more comfortable residing on campus. It may feel like you never left your undergraduate college at all. The downside? Just that. If you're serious about growing up and establishing a career, living like an adult in your own place can provide more life lessons than dorm life can offer.

Off-Campus Housing
If you're going the off-campus route, there are many facets that need to be considered. Most graduate students live off-campus, so you won't be alone. It's all a part of post-undergrad living! You're still in school but you're an adult now, so it's time to start that "responsibility thing" you've heard about.

Roommates
The first thing to consider about off campus living is, whether you want a roommate. Most grad students don't have the financial resources to live sans roommate. Finding a roommate is easy if you use college bulletin boards to advertise. That is, if you want a fellow student for a roomie. If you have friends at your new school, consider rooming with them. Your undergraduate experiences with roommate situations (as well as the horrendous stories that you've heard) can give you a good indication of whether you're up for a roommate.

Off-Campus Housing: Rent-to-Share
If you decide to live with another person or persons, check out some of the "rent to share" ads in your local classifieds. Some area residents, depending where you live, open up rooms in their houses that offer lower rent and a homelike atmosphere. By renting a room you can often live in a nicer place with more amenities than you could alone or with roommates.

What You'll Need
A desk is a necessity, since most of your graduate work is done independently. Invest in a comfortable chair, desk, shelves, and a computer connected to the internet. Living off-campus means you're not a hop, skip and jump away from the nearest school computer!

Finally, expect a big adjustment from undergraduate living. Even if you did live off-campus during those years, graduate student life means fewer parties and more work.

Living at Home
If you're attending a local graduate school, living at home with your parent(s) may be an option. Carefully consider it, as well as your reasons. Does living at home provide an escape from the real world? Or is it for financial reasons (you're broke!)? If you prefer to live at home, keep in mind that while mom's Sunday dinners are superb, you can't be a child forever. (When you move out on your own, Lean Cuisine is always in the freezer in case you can't quite master her gravy.)