If you’ve never shared a room or lived in a dorm before, it can feel very daunting to begin doing both when you head to college and live on campus. It can be even more nerve-racking if you’re rooming with a stranger. Whether you’ll be living in the Tower, the LLCs, Wallace or McConnell, these tips can help you navigate the multi-faceted nature of living in the dorms.
Getting along with your roommate
One of the most impactful aspects of living in the dorms is how well you get along with your roommate.
The first tip is to set boundaries with each other and set up expectations for the room and each other. A room with no rules is bound to cause problems. Have a healthy and mature conversation with your roommate when you both move in and set some ground rules. Some key points to talk about are guests, sleeping/waking routines and the cleanliness of the room.
Another tip is to remember that this is a shared space. Both of you deserve to live in a space that you feel comfortable in, so be mindful of your roommates’ wants and needs as well as your own. Try to compromise rather than going one way or the other. Let both of your opinions be heard and be open-minded.
What not to do
Living in the dorms comes with its own set of rules that will be established by your RA, but it’s still important to know what you should avoid doing while living there.
The first thing is: don’t skip out on the floor events run by your RA. This is a great opportunity to meet people on your floor and socialize.
Don’t just stay in your dorm room 24/7. Try to spend a decent amount of time outside of your dorm. This gives you opportunities to meet new people, study, explore the campus and it gives your roommate some time alone in the room.
Don’t break the rules. There are certain policies set by the university that are stated around campus and in your housing agreement. Some rules are very strict and can get you in a lot of trouble if you break them. It’s respectful to both your roommate and your RA if you follow the rules.
Decorating
Everyone loves to make their living space feel like their own and decorate how they want to. The dorms should be no different but remember to be mindful of your roommate and the rules set in your housing agreement.
The first tip is to try picking out some decor with your roommate and decide if you want to decorate for the holidays or not. Try to combine your styles and tastes in decor so that you’re both happy with the results.
The next tip is to try to find “dorm-friendly” decor. The dorms can be easily damaged by certain decorations, especially the way that you hang things up. Excessive damage to your room will result in fines from the university, so be mindful of what you’re using. Command strips and thumbtacks are some dorm-friendly options. Avoid using screws or nails.
Rules for the dorms
As mentioned before, there will be a set of rules stated by the university and/or by your RA. It’s important to follow these rules, but what about the unspoken ones?
The first rule is to be on top of your laundry. The laundry facilities are shared among many students, so set a timer on your phone to ensure that you’re switching out your laundry on time. Don’t start it and then go to class for a few hours and jam up the units so that others can’t use them.
The next rule is to abide by quiet hours. Nothing is worse than hearing people yelling and stomping at 11 p.m. when you’re trying to sleep. Be mindful of your noise early in the morning and late at night. Your dorm building may have set quiet hours, but if not, it’s common practice to be quiet from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Living in the dorms on campus can be a really fun experience, so do your best to make the most of it! Try to have fun and enjoy the lively environment, but also remember that there are others around you, so be respectful to your peers.
Brooklynn Jolley can be reached at [email protected].