Flashback to a year ago, when I’d write my articles hunched over my little desk that was overflowing with clothes, dishes, and papers from class. All of this stuff was there simply because I had no other place to put them.

When I wanted to “hang out” and watch some TV (on my computer) I had one of two options. My bed (which was lofted) or my desk (which as alluded to above, was completely covered).

This was dorm living.

Now, as I write this article, I am comfortably lounging on a couch in my living room. I have the TV (a real one) on as background noise, my feet are on the coffee table, I’m covered with a nice blanket, and my belly is nice and full with delicious food (not from the dining hall, the real thing).

This is apartment living. And this is heaven.

Last year, my living situation wasn’t ideal. I don’t think anyone has an ideal living situation their freshman year.

More likely than not, it is a cinder block palace.

But in reality, it is a very small room that you have to share with another person, someone you’ve most likely never met before. If your situation is like mine, you didn’t have your own bathroom.

Waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom was a struggle, and I’d often slip on shoes and wander down to the bathroom without my glasses on. Simply praying I wouldn’t run in to anything (thankfully, I never did).

Because of these less than ideal circumstances, my transition to on-campus apartment living makes me feel like I just won the lottery.

First and foremost, when I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I simply get off my (much lower lofted) bed, and walk into the bathroom. No shoes, no glasses, no problem.

Places to hangout are abundant. I could sit on my bed. Or my desk. Or the kitchen table. Or the chair. Or the couch. Or if I’m feeling really adventurous, I could even sit on the carpeted (and abundant) floor. My options are endless.

My dishes have an actual sink to be washed in, complete with a drying rack. I have a stove, oven, AND microwave. I can cook to my heart’s content.

I’ve never felt so lucky.

However, as much as I love apartment living, I would not trade my freshman dorm experience for the world. I experienced a lot of growth, a lot of laughs, and a lot of memories in that little room.

And living it that small little room has made me love this nice, big, room (also known as heaven) that much more.