All you can think about while you are in grade school is about being "free" and escaping the dungeon you call your parents house. When the day comes to pack up your bags and go to college, your mind is all over the place. You are finally out on your own until you get into your cardboard box of a dorm room that was the size of your bathroom back at home and now you have to share that room with another breathing human being. Maybe this was the worst idea ever, but wait it could be the best.
Pros of Living in a Dorm
If you were like me, that can not stand the thought of staying in the same town for college, moving somewhere that you have no idea is nerve wracking. When you get into your new dorm room, the girl that you are awkwardly staring at might just be your next best friend. You now never have to eat alone because she is on the same boat as you and would rather not eat alone either.
Not only have you now found your grubbing buddy, but guess what? Did You wake up 10 minutes before class? No need to run and grab your keys to drive to campus, your classroom is right next your dorm building. Just make sure you brush your teeth and brush your hair, pajamas in class is not only a norm but might be the best thing you have ever done.
If you are like me, keeping track of your keys is actually impossible. They might be under the couch, in the fridge, just hopefully they will show up eventually. Guess who just became the hero of the day? The RA has a key for every room and they will gladly unlock your door for you until you get your life together.
Living in an apartment is definitely the goal, but the only problem is that bills just like to attach themselves to you and never go away. In a dorm, go ahead and fall asleep with the T.V. on. Had you a long day? Just cry in the shower and for 20 minutes. If you are paying thousands of dollars a semester for a dorm, you might as well enjoying getting everything included.
Cons of Living in a Dorm
Remember walking around in your underwear was an everyday thing? Well hate to break it to you, but your roommate has seen your butt enough and would rather you cover up. Actually, you are better just bring your outfit into the bathroom with you. Avoiding any argument with your roommate is definitely the best thing to do.
Privacy actually all around is now out the window. You both live in this room, there is nowhere else to go. Although going out to parties sounds fun, try to have a one-night stand, or even bring a drunk friend home. There are plenty of friends with apartments, the last thing you want is your roommate about to kill you and yelling at you or vise versa.
If you weren't claustrophobic before you definitely will be now. There is no you time and cleaning is an everyday thing. If you throw one shirt on your desk your room automatically looks like it's been hit by a tornado. Just to add on to it, the RA's do room checks, and they are secretly judging you for your room being a disaster.
Food is everyone's favorite. Living in a dorm room, unfortunately, limits your food intake. Most colleges give you a mini fridge and a microwave. Dinner meals are now your new best friend, and your wallet now hates you because you keep going too fast food because it tastes better.
If you are like me and just like to hang out with your cat/dog all day, the RA will rip you a new one if they catch you with a pet in the dorm. Unfortunately, we have to leave our furry friends with our parents and cry every day because we miss them so much. Let's just hope the apartment you are looking at will accept them.