Dorms: How to Love 'Em

“That’s mine!” “Who made this mess?!” “Someone ate all my milk!” “I didn’t eat your milk, I drank it, dummy.”   Do these complaints sound familiar? Sometimes dorm life can be rough. You’re living in close quarters, learning to share space with unfamiliar people. There can be challenges at times, but it is quite possible to get along with roommates and to live in harmony. Yelling is hard on the lungs, so let’s keep the shouting down.   Why Stay in the Dorms, Anyway?   So, if it’s so difficult, why do people do it? Why stay in the dorms at all, rather than just going straight to an apartment with a private room and less people to deal with? There are many reasons why the dorms are great, especially for incoming freshmen. Cheaper Rates: Staying in freshmen dormitories is usually cheaper than moving straight to off-campus housing or an apartment. Since dorms usually have more people to split the space with, the rent is divided up even more. If you can deal with a few more roommates, you will pay a cheaper rent. Proximity to Campus: Dorms are usually on-campus, and being so close is great. It’s always handy to be a five-minute walk away from class or the library, rather than walking the twenty minutes back to campus for a book you forgot. Being so close was one of my favorite things about living in the dorms my first year! Freshmen Abound: For some people, this point may sound like a nightmare. However, for incoming students fresh out of high school, having a lot of other freshmen around is a definite plus. It’s great to be in a dorm, where most of the peers you meet will be in your same situation in life. Everyone’s figuring out their majors, jobs, and niches in the college community. You will help each other out! I loved making friends with people I had so much in common with that first year.   How to Get the Most Out of Your Dorm Experience   Now here we come to the meat of this post. Staying in the dorms has some great perks, but there are also a few downsides: crowding, roommate issues, not enough space… These are a few of the common problems, but most are easily avoided. Just follow this simple advice for making your first year dorm experience a happy one. Keep it Clean, People: Some of us are natural clean freaks, and, well, some of us just aren’t. However, your dorm will be a much more livable and peaceful place if you take the time to clean up your own messes. Others will follow your example! Manage Your Space: One of the main complaints about dorm rooms is size. Freshmen dorms are usually a little more crowded than the off-campus housing. However, organizing well and using storage tools like bookcases and shelves will help to give yourself more space and room to chill. Be Considerate of Others: You’ve gotta live with these people for at least a semester, so be thoughtful of their needs. If you love loud music, but your roommate’s trying to do homework, you might think about turning the volume down. You’ll find that the acts are reciprocated when you need something, too. Don’t be afraid to talk to a roommate who’s giving you trouble. If you come to them with soft words and an understanding attitude, it’s likely that they’ll listen and accommodate your needs.   I loved my freshmen year in the dorms! It’s all what you make it. Before I moved in, I didn’t know one of my roommates, and we still keep in touch today. Following these tips will help you to have a fantastic experience as well.