If you’re in high school and looking forward to your college experience, you have a lot of exciting new changes ahead of you. At the same time, transitioning to living on your own in a dorm room comes with a bit of a learning curve. Dorm living is a lot of people’s first time really fending for themselves—so there’s no reason to be embarrassed if you have questions about it. We’ll tell you a little bit regarding what to expect about living the dorm life, so you have a better idea of what you’re walking into.
There Are Actual Rules
At the risk of being a buzzkill, your dormitory will have rules that you need to follow. Not following these rules can end your college career fairly quickly if you’re not careful, so it’s important to know them well. If you’re ever unsure of anything, make sure to ask your resident advisor. Remember, the whole reason your RA is in your dormitory is to help you out.
You’ll Need To Be Open With Your Roommate
Unless you’re very lucky, one of the things to expect about living in a dorm room is that you’ll have a roommate. If they aren’t someone you already know, you’ll want to set some ground rules early on. If you go to bed early but they stay up late, you’ll want to know that so both of you can plan accordingly. See if you can coordinate certain things, such as how you want to decorate your dorm room or what the procedure will be when one of you invites friends or a date over.
There Isn’t a Lot of Privacy
In most dormitories you’ll be living in close quarters with basically everyone, as every room and hall should be taken by other students. Since all your rooms are close together, this means that everyone has a fair idea of what’s going on with everyone else. If you’re used to having your own room, it can be a bit of an adjustment getting used to the close confines. If it’s difficult to handle, try to find a place away from your dorm where you can recharge on your own.
You Should Keep Your Mind Open
You’re going to meet a lot of different people and have a ton of experiences while living in your dorm room. Make sure you keep an open mind when you meet these new people or have new experiences. View them as opportunities to grow as a person, to see a side of the world you’ve never seen before. College is all about expanding your mind, both academically and experience-wise.