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Dorm Life: Expectations vs. Reality

Summer is finally over, and that means packing up and moving out of the house. In our excitement to be free and flying out of the nest (finally), we may have developed a couple of expectations about what it would be like in the beautiful, disgusting and ever-entertaining jungle that is dorm life. Because despite the odor, chaos and awkward coed living, our dorm is our home away from home, and the independence is totally worth the shower fungus… we think. 

Expectation:

Waking up bright and early for a new, exciting day of college each morning. 

Reality:

Expectation: 

Cheerful morning chats with floormates in the charming and clean communal bathrooms.

Reality:

Expectation:

Becoming BFFLs with your roommates and staying up late having heart-to-hearts and slumber parties with your floormates every night until you fall asleep. 

Reality:

Most of your nights end like this.

Expectation:

Beautiful interior design that resembles the Hogwarts dormitories or better. 

Reality:

Think less Harry Potter and more Orange Is the New Black

Expectation:

Flirting with the emotionally mature and stunningly handsome guys on coed floors. 

Reality:

Some of them still need some time…

Expectation:

Your dorm will be decorated to Anthropologie levels of perfection.

Reality:

Expectation: 

You’ll fill the room with your amazing summer DIYs that show off your creativity and crafting prowess. 

Reality:

Let’s just say there’s a reason we’re not all majoring in Fine Arts. 

Expectation: 

Becoming a microwave genius and creating gourmet meals with your microwave-only cookbook. 

Reality:

Expectation:

Spending time in the dorm kitchen really learning how to cook and making your own meals with fresh ingredients. 

Reality:

Expectation:

Finding a personal mentor and friend in your loving and doting RA.

Reality:

Expectation:

Being totally a totally independent, mature adult living on your own with no need to call home.

Reality:

Expectation:

Partying every night with your live-in friends. 

Reality:

Expectation:

A crazy awesome time that you’ll have a ton of stories to tell about when it’s over. 

Reality:

Even better.