As the last of the Millennials make their way through college, we’ve been anticipating the arrival en masse of the Gen Zers – now thoroughly represented as underclassmen, and taking the mantle from the Mighty Millennials, who are at present busy overwhelming the workplace.
Traits of Gen Z
Gen Z, defined as those born from 1996 to 2012, are said to be defined by certain traits, just as previous generations – Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers and the Greatest Generation – also became identified with certain characteristics. Take it with a grain of proverbial salt or swear by it, comparing generations makes for some interesting pondering.
Here are some traits said to be associated with the current crop of college students emerging at Ohio University:
- Never having known life without social media, nearly half of them check their profiles each hour. For better or worse, social media is where they find their entertainment, communication and news.
- One of the major differences between Gen Z and Millennials is said to be their sense of the importance of privacy. They seem to get that oversharing is a mistake, and tend to favor social platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram that are time sensitive and private. They also favor YouTube watching in a big way. They view YouTube as an entertainment site, rather than a site to display or reveal.
- Alas, but their attention span is even shorter than that of Millennials (8 seconds).
- Gen Zers are said to be more individualists, as compared to Millennials, who are more influenced by peers.
Gen Z and Student Housing
So what does all this mean for universities and student housing? It’s already affecting choices and directions.
Expectations for dorm rooms, for instance, are high. They want the following:
- Ample storage
- Private bathrooms
- High-speed internet
- Lots of electrical outlets and ports
- Nicely appointed common areas (fitness options and study areas, of course)
- Living room/kitchen areas
- Mid-rise modern architecture
And all of the above, preferably, in a sustainable environment and at a competitive price.
Given the challenges for post-secondary institutions to invest in new housing, most students are turning to private off-campus housing whenever campus regulations allow them to. (Underclassmen are typically expected to live on campus until they reach a certain age.) The main advantage the institutions have is they can provide housing close to campus so the student needn’t walk far to class and when using campus facilities, and often, they can offer on-campus parking so the student can leave the car parked most of the time.
If you’re ready to enter the world of Athens Ohio student rentals and you’re Gen Z with high expectations, it may be tough to find just what you’re looking for unless you work with a reputable real estate company with an excellent portfolio of student rentals. Fortunately, Athens is a town with an abundance of attractive student rentals, and some excellent companies to manage them.
