From finding the right roommates to looking for a neighborhood that feels just like home, some students who signed their first lease walk away happy, prepared and satisfied that they’re taking their first step to an independent life.

While many crossed city or state lines to get to Baylor, others crossed oceans and looked for ways to make Baylor home thousands of miles away.

As students continue to search for housing, it is important to note that not all generationally passed down houses are a cheaper option. Costs will vary based on location, upkeep and chapter expectations.

First-year Baylor students are required to live on campus in one of Baylor’s dorm communities, meaning all these students will inevitably have to manage living with limited space. However, not all dorm spaces are created equal.

As Baylor’s student population grows, students face rising rent prices and tough trade-offs when searching for off-campus housing, from affordability to location and safety.

Between strict housing rules, tight budgets and limited square footage, decorating can feel more stressful than exciting. Still, your living space plays a huge role in your comfort, productivity and overall happiness, making personalization worth the effort. No one wants damage fees or a lame dorm or apartment, so check out this curated list of renter- and dorm-friendly renovation ideas that will personalize your space without breaking the bank.

Whether you subscribe to the beliefs or not, astrology offers a fun way to explore what kind of housing might suit your cosmic personality. So, grab your astrological chart and a cup of tea—your next move could be written in the stars. Literally.

“If you are there long enough, you don’t really have a choice,” Hemsworth said. “I suppose prison starts to feel like home to inmates.”

We all need a little good fortune and flow in our lives. Learn how to Feng Shui your dorm and intentionally bring in that good energy with organization and room placement.

For those who have lived in Dawson and Allen, the renovation is very welcome. Houston senior Natalie French gave an example of just how old the dorms really are.

“A girl and I lived down the hall from each other [in Dawson], and her Grandma went to Baylor, and she lived in Dawson. When she walked in, she goes, ‘Oh my gosh, it looks the exact same!””

Clayton, Calif. junior Ben Williamson said he is concerned about the lack of public safety in neighborhoods surrounding Baylor. Williamson said even a small boost in security could potentially lessen crime in the areas that students inhabit.

Chip and Joanna Gaines hit television show “The Fixer Upper” created a brand for the city of Waco as the hosts revitalizing old, rundown houses. These houses are now unaffordable for the poor community.

In 2014 10 years ago the average rent in Waco was $600-$750 and the cost of groceries was $40-$70 on average for one person a week, which means students living off campus would spend around $1,050 on groceries and rent a month. These numbers have only risen since then.

Home to 330 Baylor students enrolled in one of the Honors College’s programs or majors, the Honors Residential College is a multiyear community known on campus for its assortment of traditions.

“Over the years, we’ve seen changes, but it’s still Collins,” Gould said. “I think it’ll always be Collins. It’ll always be the hotspot. It’ll be the new and improved Collins, but the legacy is still there.”

Baylor designed the faculty-in-residence and resident chaplain programs to help students grow in their faith. However, some faculty and chaplains said the programs have helped them as much as they have helped students.

Nichole Bekken, project manager of construction services, said she began planning for the $7.5 million renovation of both Allen and Dawson halls following the Board of Regents budget approval for the year in May. She said she is focused on creating community spaces that will enhance the connections between the LEAD Living-Learning Community—which is the community currently in Dawson—and the IMPACT LLC, following a fall 2022 merger of the two.