Student housing is booming — now a $10 billion market with demand expected to hit 9.2 million beds by 2031. That means more properties, more competition and a race to attract (and retain) residents.

But here’s where things get interesting: What actually gets students to sign a lease — and renew it — isn’t what many properties are investing in.

Developers are spending millions on eye-catching extras — rooftop pools, rock climbing walls and high-tech game lounges. But Gen Z? They’re not looking for a resort experience. They want a place with practical amenity services that support their real, everyday lives—where they can juggle deadlines, fuel up for early classes and get through the all-nighters that come with college life. 

They don’t need flashy amenities. They need function, convenience and spaces that work for them.

These five amenities do just that — giving students what they actually want while making properties more attractive (and easier to manage) in the process.

1. Secure printing that’s fast, secure and always available.

    It’s 11:45 p.m. Your final paper is due in 15 minutes. The campus printer is offline — again.

    Students live between deadlines. Last-minute papers due at midnight. Financial aid forms that can't wait. Internship and job applications that need to be perfect. 

    Traditional campus printing? A nightmare. Sprinting across campus and battling long lines. Enduring broken printers and lost documents. Hoping confidential information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. 

    PrintWithMe makes student printing seamless and simple. It’s wireless, secure and completely device-agnostic. Documents are encrypted instantly and deleted automatically — and support is available seven days a week.

    For property managers, it’s just as easy. With 99%+ uptime, automated supply shipments and 24/7 remote monitoring, PrintWithMe eliminates the operational drain of traditional printers.

    Ryan Baker, Senior General Manager at the Post on Nord in Chico, California, puts it best: “Having the printer available at the last minute for that final or term paper is something that will make a property a lot more appealing.” 

    2. Premium coffee without leaving the building.

      Students run on caffeine. But campus coffee shops mean long lines, limited hours and overpriced drinks that drain meal plans one latte at a time. 

      SipWithMe brings the coffee shop experience inside your property, serving customizable barista-quality drinks in under 60 seconds. From classic espresso to premium hot chocolate, students can grab their favorite drinks without braving the weather (or breaking their budget).

      And property managers love it, too. Remote monitoring, automatic supply replenishment and up to 60% operational savings? That’s a win-win.

      “Our residents love the new SipWithMe coffee and machine,” shares Sherry Haney, Senior Property Manager at Security Properties. “I have received multiple compliments on the variety of brews they can select from, how easy the machine is to use and the flavor of the coffee. The team here is very impressed with the machine and the quality of the coffee!”

      3. Study and collaboration spaces designed for real productivity.

        Trendy murals look great on a website. But what do students actually need? Study spaces designed for real productivity.

        That means: 

        • Plenty of power outlets — because nobody wants to fight over one charger.
        • Soundproof rooms — so group projects don’t distract solo study sessions.
        • Commercial-grade networks with proper node placement and security protocols — treating internet like the utility it is, not just another amenity.

        Adaptability is key. The best spaces flex between quiet, focused work in the morning and collaborative study groups in the evening. They offer:

        • Modular seating that can be rearranged as needed.
        • Built-in displays and whiteboards for brainstorming.
        • Private nooks for distraction-free deep work.

        And don’t forget fast, reliable printing — because study spaces should be equipped for more than just note-taking.

        The takeaway? When students can seamlessly switch between solo work and group projects (with a little mindless scrolling in between), they aren’t just studying in your building — they’re shaping their college experience around it.

        4. Sustainability that’s more than a marketing gimmick.

          Gen Z cares about sustainability, but they see right through performative greenwashing.. 

          A Veritrove study found that 30% of students rank sustainability as a top-three factor in school selection. And according to the 2022 American Campus Communities Resident Pulse Survey, 71% of student residents say sustainable features matter when choosing housing.

          The properties that get it right focus on real, impactful upgrades that benefit both students and operations:

          • Smart thermostats that do more than just look high-tech — they actually regulate temperature.
          • LED lighting with real motion sensors — so lights only turn on when needed.
          • Low-flow fixtures that keep water pressure strong while reducing waste.
          • Energy-efficient appliances that don’t require an engineering degree to operate.
          • EV charging stations, since more students are driving electric than ever before.
          • Composting & easy-to-use recycling stations — because if sustainability isn’t convenient, it won’t work.

          These aren’t just marketing buzzwords. They cut costs, improve efficiency and deliver real value — for both students and property managers.

          5. Wellness spaces that fit student routines.

          Campus recreation centers are overcrowded, inconveniently located and often have limited hours. And student housing properties keep building massive gyms outfitted with Olympic-grade equipment no one actually uses.

          Wellness amenities work best when they’re accessible and flexible:

          • 24/7 fitness areas that are well-lit, centrally located and easy to access.
          • Outdoor spaces that offer reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seating and weather protection. 
          • Multi-use zones that flex between morning yoga, afternoon study breaks and evening hangouts. 
          • Quiet decompression areas — because sometimes, students need a mental reset just as much as a workout.

          Properties that prioritize wellness beyond the gym stand out. Because when amenities fit into daily routines, students actually use them.

          Give students what they need.

          The student housing market is more competitive than ever. The properties that win won’t be the ones with the flashiest amenities. They’ll be the ones that enhance student life and make daily routines easier, more seamless and less stressful.

          Is your property delivering what students really need? Let's chat about how PrintWithMe and SipWithMe can help make your property the one they choose — and stay with.