During high school, I made a list of things I wanted in my “dream college.” This list varied among academics, size, extracurriculars. But, among that list was something I found extremely important: DORMS! Now that I’ve been in college (and dorming) for about a month now, I feel that I have conjured a list of pros and cons to dorming.
Pros:
1. Close to your classes!
I don’t know about you, but being able to leave my dorm ten minutes before classes and not have to worry about being late is amazing! I have not been late to a single class even when I l think I’m leaving too late (hopefully I don’t jinx it).
2. Midnight runs to Pace Perk Cafe
Going to Perk at night with my friends is the best! I always order pepperoni Pizza Rolls and a milkshake but I’ve been trying to switch it up lately (let me know if you have any suggestions). I feel like it’s tradition now to go to Perk at least three times a week. You get to enjoy the music, talk with friends, and feel the excitement when that buzzer goes off in your hand to let you know your food is ready.
3. Freedom and independence
This is a biggie! Going to college and living in a residence hall means that you are now in charge of your own self. You get to go anywhere, do anything, be anything. But always remember to be smart about what you do!
4. Your own space
If you’re anything like me, you grew up in a small apartment in the city having to share a room with your siblings. Being able to have your own space and enjoy some relaxation on your own is the best feeling in the world. I know what you’re thinking, “I still technically have a roommate”… well yeah. But would you rather have a roommate who is bound to leave for classes or hang out with friends than having a little kid jump up and down on your bed? My side of the dorm feels like my own little sanctuary. It’s where I watch Netflix in peace and where I repeatedly watch Shane Dawson call Jake Paul a sociopath (do you think he is??)
5. NO RULES!
Well ….. Not quite. You still have to abide by the school rules and not disturb anyone. But the good thing about college is that you no longer have a curfew, or have your parents say “you live under my roof, you follow my rules” Thanks to Pace, you won’t be hearing that for a while.
6. Get to live on your own
This pro goes hand and hand with the one about having your own space. Living in college actually prepares you for any future apartment or house you might have on your own. It teaches you how to be independent and take care of yourself. Therefore, take advantage of your college years and fully emerge yourself into finding yourself.
7. You may actually become best friends with your roommate
It might be frightening to move into a new place not knowing the person you’re living with and being scared that you might not like them. But try keeping an open mind. Your roommate might turn out to be your best friend and you’ll end up talking and laughing all night long. I got pretty lucky with my roommate. She’s kind and funny and was instantly one of my first friends coming into Pace.
8. Being able to return to the comfort of your bed after a long class
I would hate to be a commuter and have to drive all the way home after a long day when all I want to do is sleep. I have friends who have to wake up super early to get to their 8 am classes. Some of my friends even have excruciatingly long breaks between classes! But what sucks the most is finishing your last class of the day that ends at night and having to endure a 30-minute drive home while all your friends and nice and comfortable sleeping in their own beds. This is what I’m most grateful for in college.
Cons:
1. The laundry room is always full!
Why is it that college students always decide to do their laundry on the same days? Matter of fact, why are the machines full at all hours of the day? I’ve tried doing my laundry late at night, but the machines are full. I’ve tried waking up super early to do laundry… BUT THE MACHINES ARE ALWAYS FULL! This is quite possibly the most annoying thing about college. And honey you can try going to other floors but I’m telling you right now. It. Will. Be. full!
2. Kessel food gets repetitive
One month in and I’m already tired of the burgers, fries, sushi, tacos, poke bowl, ALL OF IT!!! All I want is some nice home cooked meal. I miss going into the kitchen and stealing food while my mom was cooking. I’m sure if I tried that here I’ll get yelled at…yikes!
3. If you get sick, you’re on your own
The first week of college I ended up with a cold… and let me tell you, it was not fun. I no longer had my mom to make me her homemade Hispanic tea that cures you in one day. There were no hugs from mom while watching movies or chicken noodle soup being brought to me. I was all on my own… and it was deadly.
4. Adulting when were still babies
Uh oh! It’s that time! In all honesty, I don’t know who decided that it was okay for me to be an adult at 18 when I still watch Mickey Mouse but …. I guess I’m an adult? College is all about finding yourself and growing to be the best you that you can be. I feel that living in college has really helped me in maturing and becoming an adult (even though Spongebob is still bae). Because of the fact that I live here, I’m forced to do adult things such as manage my time properly, not procrastinate, feed myself, and most of all learn how to live on my own.
5. Fire drills
Just imagine this: you’re in the shower enjoying your playlist and watching your hair. Then you hear a continuous beeping and heavy footsteps outside the door and the loudspeaker goes off saying “everyone out the building this is a fire drill.” Has this ever happened to you? Well, it happened to me. First fire drill of the year and I have to rush out of the shower with my hair all wet and throw on the first thing I can find. This was the most annoying thing I ever experienced. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper that night.
6. You might not get along with your roommates
This was one of the things I feared the most about going to college. I’ve heard so many stories about crazy roommates that I was so close to not dorming myself.
7. It’s hella expensive!
Living in a residence hall means that your tuition will go up… way up. You have to pay for your meal plan and most expensively your living situation. That tiny room stuffing two or three people probably cost more a month than the house you live in now. So start saving up!
8. You might not like it
Although living at your school can have many advantages, it will all depend on whether you like it or not. Not everyone’s experience is the same. Some might love dorming while others might not. But no matter what your feeling towards dorming is, always remember that you’re amazing and no matter what you do, you will be successful as long as you work for it!