As college students, we all have the opportunity to live in a luxurious dorm. Just kidding, in all reality there is really nothing fancy about community dorms. However, it is all in what you make of it. So you got assigned an old dorm hall with community bathrooms. You have most likely panicked and called your university’s housing department insisting that you and your roommate be placed in a nicer and more renovated dorm. But first, let me give you a few reasons as to why you may end up considering this small dorm your new home away from home.

It is all in what you make of it.

When entering new situations it is always important to stay positive and keep an open mind. You will learn to meet new people and become more open-minded. It is crucial to challenge yourself to open up to meeting new people and also learn more about people living in your dorm hall.

Your roommate makes the defining difference.

This is the individual that you get to live with for the entire academic year. He or she will be the person who is always there when you need someone. They will be your go-to person to grab a bite to eat with or study in the library with. Someone who may have been a stranger in the beginning may turn out to be your absolute best friend at the end of the year.

Decorate your room to your liking.

The first thing you should know about dorm living is that it is not as fabulous as Pinterest makes it out to be, but that does not mean it cannot be great! Adding a little touch of both you and your roommate can make a small room feel more at home.

You become less high maintenance.

Prior to college I was so used to having my own bedroom, a walk-in closet and a bathroom of my own. Living in a community dorm taught me what’s important and of necessity to have. You will have a gigantic packing list and overpack when arriving for move-in day, but you will most likely end up not using half of those items. You realize very quickly what’s of value when you only have a small space and limited storage to work with.

You don’t have to clean too much.

Sure, you might need to vacuum your room and wipe down your desk and furniture every once in a while, but you don’t have to clean your own bathroom, which is a huge plus when living in a community dorm.

Most importantly, you will make memories.

Right now you may not be too fond of the idea of living in a community dorm, but maybe now you have a few things to look forward to. At the end of your academic year, you might even find yourself missing your old community dorm after all.