While dorm life may be the fast track to finding a “buddy” to eat, study or hang with, in reality there are many reasons why dorms are strictly for freshmen. Although excitement fills residents on move-in day, sophomores stuck in the dorm realize they are in for a long year.
1. You can’t throw your own parties.
Unless you consider watching the latest episode of The Bachelor and drinking wine in your dorm room with a couple of your girlfriends at a party, they’re a no-go. The cramped living quarters and strict supervision make dorms a difficult place to throw a Badger level bash.
2. You can’t cook your own food
While at first it seems nice going to the dining hall and getting that 30 percent discount, you are soon reminded how overpriced dorm food actually is. Not to mention the repetition of eating the same thing for all of your meals. Cooking is something that college kids need to get used to, and when you see your apartment friends whipping up grilled chicken and quinoa, you start to feel pretty bad about your microwavable Ramen.
3. All of your friends live in really nice, spacious apartments.
You step foot for the first time in your best friend’s apartment and realize how much you are missing out on; granite countertops, huge double-door fridges, A LIVING ROOM. Your tiny dorm room seems to shrink in size and quality.
4. You have an RA who checks up on you even though you have already been through this last year
Let the awkward and miserable one-on-one/“get to know you” conversations with your RA commence. Beyond this, there is the forced interaction of mandatory floor bonding activities and hall meetings. However, sophomores have a different definition of the word “mandatory.”
5. You are way overcharged on rent.
When the math is figured out, you realize that you are paying hundreds of dollars more a month for way less space than those with apartments. Dorms are completely overpriced and can come with additional maintenance charges. Think about all of those Mac’n Cheese Ian’s slices that saved money could buy.
6. All of the freshman on your floor are super loud and obnoxious.
We get it; you are living on your own for the first time. That doesn’t mean you have to run around screaming with your friends on a Wednesday night while the rest of us are trying to study for our exam tomorrow morning.
7. You have to share a bathroom.
Walking to the bathroom in a towel and wearing your shower shoes in front of people you barely know is not exactly ideal. Not to mention the size of the showers, I mean, we are in college, not in elementary school.
8. Everyone in the dorm thinks you’re a freshman.
This assumption is made by most people you encounter. I mean, why would anyone decide to live in the dorm for two years instead of one? “Are you a freshman?”
9. You have to find additional housing in the summer if you want to stay on campus.
The housing “contract” through the University only lasts until 24 hours after your last exam. If you want to stay and enjoy Madison during the summer, you will have to deal with the hassle of finding housing on your own. This could potentially be expensive, uncomfortable and strenuous.
10. You are confined to your own 10 square foot room, constantly interacting with your roommate.
This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on how much you like spending time with your roommate. However, even the best of friends can quickly get on each other’s nerves after spending every possible second together.
Is it time to sign the lease yet?