6 Relaxation Amenities College Students Need

By Gretchen Kernbach on March 18, 2016

Relaxation: a word that is rarely associated with college.

However, us college students are always trying to squeeze in some time for ourselves in between long essays and never-ending exams. Consequently, our own apartment (complex) acts as a sanctuary to get away from all the responsibilities.

As a property manager, you are always looking for ways to “enhance” the living experience on your property. The key to our hearts — more room for relaxation. Students need more for their buck; therefore, here are some (or, a lot) of suggestions for new amenities you should offer.

Hammocks. Everyone loves hammocks. They are fun, comfortable, and force students to breathe in some fresh air. Adding these around the apartment complex is sure to boost tenant satisfaction as well as encouraging students to take more naps. And who does not love naps?

Adding 10 to 15 hammocks around the complex will not break the bank. Most hammocks are less than $100 so this option for an amenity is easily affordable.

A fitness center. As much as people claim to hate working out, it is a major stress reliever. Having a private gym for tenants will make working out more convenient. Students find driving to the on-campus gym a hassle, therefore a closer located gym will make them happier, and healthier.

How does a “closer” gym to students have to do with relaxation? Put it into perspective. Students on a tight schedule may only have time for 30 minutes of working out. When you factor in the drive to and from another gym, the 30 minute window turns into a 15 minute one.

Having a fitness center located on the complex’s property makes it easier for students to access it within a shorter amount of time. Therefore, creating more time to relax after their workout is over.

Lounges. First of all, notice how that word is plural. There are endless design concepts for a lounge. This can vary to what it looks like to what is actually inside it. At University of North Florida’s Osprey Fountains, there are six themed lounges available to students.

According to fastweb.com, “The lounges include ‘Joe’s Diner,’ a ’50s themed diner; ‘The Morgue,’ a quiet study room; ‘The Upper-Deck,’ a rec room with plasma screens; ‘The Spotlight,’ a karaoke lounge; ‘The Galaxy,’ a gaming room with televisions and desks; and ‘The B.L.O.C.,’ a laid-back lounge with beanbags.”

Image via jacksonville.com

Any sort of rec room would be a great way for tenants to unwind after a long day of studying. From flat-screen TVs to pool tables, the possibilities are endless. As a property manager, feel free to put whatever you want in this room. Even a few arcade games would really excite college kids.

Like “The Morgue” at the University of North Florida, a study lounge located on the property would do the same service as the fitness center. Students often make the trek to and from campus to study in the library. Having a quiet place to do work, right next to your apartment, will greatly benefit students. Even our own apartment can sometimes be too noisy and it would be nice to have a convenient escape.

At Saint Leo’s residence halls, according to fastwebs.com, “there’s a relaxation room with ‘nap pods,’ which play soothing music to help calm student stresses.” Anything of this sort offered at an apartment complex will attract prospective tenants.

Outdoor sand volleyball court. I believe volleyball may be one of the only sports you can play co-ed. To bring together the apartment community, build an outdoor volleyball court so anyone can play a quick game to start/end the day.

Image via gogrove.com

Sports are a fun way to relieve stress; that being said, besides a volleyball court you could also build a basketball court. Playing a game with a couple friends is an active way to relax and temporarily forget about your big-kid responsibilities.

Movie theater. No, you do not need to build a giant structure with three separate Imax screens. An apartment complex movie theater can be a small room (or lounge) with one reasonably sized screen and seating for about 30 people at a time.

How will it run? Show a different movie everyday, or every other day and have it continuously running. This gives students a chance to sit and lose themselves in a story between classes or at the end of the day. Netflix is fun, but can get uncomfortable after sitting in bed for hours. Plush seats in a movie theater atmosphere offers a getaway from your bedroom.

Student-run laundry service. This may seem crazy and unrealistic to a property manager, but it does exist. According to fastwebs.com, Washington University in St. Louis’ “dorms have a student-run laundry service dubbed Wash-U-Wash, which picks up student’s dirty laundry and washes it for them within two days.”

If your complex does not offer laundry amenities, this could save you. Students are looking for apartments that include a washer and dryer. What is better than not having those amenities, offering a service in which tenants do not have to do their own laundry. Now that definitely leaves more time for relaxation.

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