Of all the locations featured in Harry Potter, Hogwarts is by far the most magical. As the finest school for witches and wizards, the castle is home to hundreds of students as they try to master their powers – while also navigating the school's own magical quirks.
It's no wonder the place soon becomes Harry's honorary home. There's plenty to love as a student at the school. However, there are also some very real downsides to spending the bulk of your year at Hogwarts.
Best
Freedom To Explore Hogwarts
Just like the rest of the wizarding world, Hogwarts is home to countless mysteries. Not a year of Harry's education goes by where he doesn't cover another fascinating fact or location within the school.
In the seven years of their education, students have plenty of opportunities to explore the castle. It would be impossible to get bored – and every single day would feel like an adventure.
Eating In The Great Hall
There may technically only be a handful of feasts in the year – one each for the start of the school year, Halloween, Christmas, and end of the final term – but every meal is basically a feast at Hogwarts.
Not only is there a constantly wide selection of food to choose from, but it's unlimited, too. However much someone wants to eat, it's magically sent up from the kitchens by the house elves. For three meals a day, Hogwarts students truly get to eat like kings.
Quidditch Games
Whether it's as a player or a fan, Quidditch matches are the highlight of the school year. The stakes are high and the game is endlessly thrilling.
What makes it especially exciting is the spirit it creates with students and staff alike. Everyone – even those like Hermione, who don't particularly care for the game – passionately roots for their house team. And for the winning house each year, the common room celebration is like no other.
Trips To Hogsmeade
Once a Hogwarts student reaches their third year, they're gifted with a new freedom: weekend trips to Hogsmeade. Whenever it's a Hogsmeade weekend, those with permission can explore the neighboring wizarding village with their friends to their heart's content.
Magical though it is, it must be liberating to have the opportunity to leave the castle every now and then. From purchasing all the chocolate you can carry from Hogsmeade, to sipping on Butterbeer in the warmth of the Three Broomsticks, this picturesque village is the highlight of every term.
Celebrating Halloween
Most students choose to be with their families at Christmas, but everyone is at Hogwarts for Halloween. And there's no better place to celebrate than a castle full of actual witches and wizards.
Totally immersing the student body in the spirit of the season, the castle is transformed into a spooky spectacular. The Great Hall is adorned with floating jack-o-lanterns, the feast is full of sweet treats, and ghosts put on an even more ghostly show than usual. Pure magic.
Worst
House Points
Detention isn't the only form of punishment at Hogwarts. Anything from late homework to inappropriate uses of magic can lead to points being deducted from a student's house.
What makes this such a big deal is that people seem to care so much about the House Cup. When Harry loses points for Gryffindor in Philosopher's Stone, he's slighted by pretty much everyone – even Fred and George. Staying on your best behavior to ensure this kind of thing doesn't happen is an annoying burden to bear.
No Anti-Bullying Policy
Considering how young some students are when they join Hogwarts, teachers seem relatively uninterested in how they settle into boarding school life.
This includes their relations with other students. At no point does anyone seem to intervene with Draco Malfoy's evil attitude to those he considers beneath him, such as Hermione and Neville. In fact, some teachers – such as Snape – actively encourage his bullying. For some people, this wouldn't exactly make for the best schooling experience.
House Dormitories
There are some positives to sharing a house dormitory. If the students get along – like Ron and Harry, or Seamus and Dean – rooming with a best friend could be fun.
However, everyone needs space every now and then. That isn't easy to come by at Hogwarts (with the exception of each bed's curtains). If it was the worst case scenario and someone didn't gel with their housemates – such as Hermione with Lavender and Parvati – the dormitory would not be a pleasant experience.
Planning Your Entire Life At 17
Without wizarding university to train further – or even provide breathing room to figure out future plans – the pressure is on. By the end of the seventh year at Hogwarts, students have to decide on a career path ASAP.
While this works out fine for smart, studious types like Hermione or Percy, it's a lot to ask from a 17-year-old. Of course, the option is always there to switch career paths, but it must be stressful to know your entire future rests on the results of N.E.W.T exams.
Constant Danger
The thing about magic is it can be as dangerous as it is fun. Despite Hagrid describing Hogwarts as the safest place in the wizarding world, the Harry Potter series is proof that there's no predicting what lies around every corner.
Three-headed dogs, Basilisks, acromantula, and trick-stairs are just some of the risks. Even Quidditch has the potential to be deadly. And, if unlucky enough to attend at the same time as someone as danger-prone as Harry, there's also the possibility of being drawn into a wizarding battle. Just a standard year at Hogwarts.