What is College Dorm Life Like - Tips for Surviving College Dorm Living
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What is College Dorm Life Like
Are you trying to make the decision of whether or not to live in a college dorm during your first year in college? If your college campus gives you an option for living on or off campus, you might be thinking that dorm life isn’t for you. It’s filled with giggling girls and show off boys, has too many rules and means sharing space that you don’t want to share. But life in dorms is more than just these basic stereotypes, and it might be more like what you need right now than you could possibly imagine. Following are some myths about life in dorms and the realities behind them.
Life in Dorms, Myth #1: Sharing a room is awful.
If you’ve always had your own room at your parents’ house, the idea of sharing a room with someone else can seem terrible. But it’s usually not as awful as most students think. You can divide the room in half so that you have an area which is your personal space and you can work out a schedule with your roommate so you have some alone time in your room. Life is all about compromise and you may find that the compromises are worth the benefits of having a roommate around to talk with and rely on during the first year of college.
Life in Dorms, Myth #2: There are too many rules.
Yes, there are rules in dorms. How strict they are depends on the school and is something that you might want to look into as you consider colleges. But you probably had rules in your parents’ home and the rules of the dorm are probably less strict than those at home. And the rules are there for your own good, whether you like it or not. The transition to college can be tough and sometimes having some boundaries in place can really help you to make that transition.
Life in Dorms, Myth #3: Every night is a party.
Often, when you first move into your dorm, there is a lot of socializing going on. This may intimidate you if you aren’t used to be very social or you are concerned about your study time. But it usually tapers off after the first few weeks as people settle into their social groups and get used to being around each other on campus. Besides, your room is your space and you get to have a say in how it’s used. If you don’t want a party in your room all of the time and you’re able to communicate your needs to your dorm mate, you shouldn’t have any real problems. Besides, you might like those midnight slumber sessions once in awhile.
Life in Dorms, Myth #4: It’s always noisy.
This is one that is sometimes true and sometimes not. You have a lot of people living in a small space with thin walls so you’re going to hear some noise. But most of your roommates in the dorm are going to be a lot like you – noisy sometimes and not so noisy at other times. A good pair of ear plugs, a great mp3 player and strong communication skills with your neighbors go a long way towards making this myth a minimal problem.
Life in Dorms, Myth #5: You won’t like anyone you live with.
College dorm life in reality isn’t a lot like what you see portrayed on TV. In other words, there aren’t cookie cutter people who all live in the dorm together. Instead, there are a diverse group of people who come from a range of backgrounds and who have a variety of beliefs and habits. You’re sure to find someone that you can get along with. Be open to liking your dorm mates and dorm life should go smoothly for you.
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