Dorm Life: 4 Things to Expect
What can a college student expect when moving into a dorm for the first time? A whole new way of life. Here are
1. Lack of space
A typical dorm room is basically a small box that you split with another person. You will have room for a twin bed (shackers beware) a small desk, and a closet. Typically dorm rooms do not have their own bathroom, though there are exceptions.
Basically you need to be prepared for a severe downsizing of your personal space. Take only what you need and be smart about how you store it. If you are able to go home regularly or even every month or two, try only to take the clothing for the current season (leave your shorts at home in winter and jackets at home in spring). Buy bed risers. This will allow you to put those cheap plastic drawers from Wal-Mart under your bed. Put shelves in your close if possible and if you’re walls are not made of concrete, add shelves anywhere you can.
This is also a good time to learn to be more organized. The frame of mind you had when everything you owned was strewn throughout your house is not going to work. You have to be respectful of your roommate’s half of the room and keep your junk on your side.
2. Lack of Privacy
Dorm life is a privacy paradox. On the one hand you no longer have parents to police your activities. On the other hand, you now share a room the size of a large closet with another person. This means try to pick a roommate beforehand that shares similar patterns (early riser, late partier, studier, etc…). If that isn’t an option make sure to still put your expectations out early.
If someone has 8:00 classes, then you know on those nights you can’t have people in the room late and to be quiet if you come in past 12. If someone has a girlfriend then you work out a compromise that allows for “personal time” without keeping you out of your own room all night. These are just a few of the examples that you need to consider. When you’re living in a box everything from music and tv shows, to class schedules and girls needs to be discussed.
3. Great Friendships
I know my previous two entries were less than encouraging, but let me say that my year in the dorms was one of my absolute favorites. If you get a good roommate then you’ve just found a best friend. You and this person can’t help but be close. My freshman roommate and I had little to nothing in common, but we are still great friends 4 years later. You will also realize that living in a building with 100’s of other kids just like you can make for some amazing friendships that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. There will always be someone playing video games, watching a movie, drinking, or just hanging out. If you are willing to get out of your room and meet some people you are likely to end up with a very large network of friends just from your year in the dorms.
4. A Great Time
While there may be some drawbacks to dorm life, you can rest assured that you will never lack for something to do. Once you start finding all the friends (as mentioned above) you will realize that there are things to do every night of the week at virtually any hour. 100’s of college kids in one location means tons of parties, barbecues, movies, sports, drunkeness, and anything else you are looking for. There is always something going on in the dorms. Freshman year is one of the greatest years in college and I encourage everybody to make the best of it.
