Dorm Life 101

Starting over, starting fresh, or just getting away, dorm life can be a life changing experience.  The fears of dorm life are valid fears, but it becomes what you make it.  Just like any other part of life, the outlook is what guides your experience.

Not everyone gets the best roommate, some get people they can’t stand.  There are stories of people who hide animals, talk to stuffed animals, come back drunk, bring random guys over, or have roommates stare at you when you sleep.  All these things can actually happen.  One girl wakes up to her roommate having a conversation with her stuffed animal dog.  Another girl realized her roommate has been wearing her new clothes and eats all of her food without asking.  One girl’s roommate came back drunk and threw up all over the carpet.  And there’s always THAT girl whose boyfriend moves into the room. 

But why not make it a good story? 

Mental health affects all aspects of life.  A room is a meant to be a safe place, a comfortable escape. But when that’s affected, the rest of your life becomes affected too.  It may be draining on you to know you have to go back and sleep in the same room as that person, or know that you won’t sleep because of their partying habits.  It could affect personal relationships too. Like what if a roommate never leaves the room, but you don’t know how to ask them to get out?  What if your significant other is tired of being told they can’t stay in the room because your roommate feels uncomfortable, but your roommate never offers to stay anywhere else? 

The question comes down to where do you draw the line.  When is it time to say enough is enough? How do you help the fears of girls coming into college hearing the horror stories of dorm life?

The answer is all based on your outlook.  It’s important to stand up for yourself without being mean.  Be the bigger person and break the stereotype.  If the issue becomes really uncomfortable, talk to an RA or a third person not personally involved in the situation and find ways to diffuse the roommate disputes.  You never get what you don’t ask for.  That’s not to say you won’t get what you ask for, but that’s where to start.

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