Transitions abound in life, and one of the most significant is the transition from high school to college. Many adults reminisce fondly about their college dorm days, but the truth is that living in a traditional college dorm is not for the faint of heart. A college dorm room could be a cramped closet-sized space with minimal amenities, or a suite the size of an off-campus one bedroom apartment, depending on the institution. Preparing for life in a college dorm necessitates some planning in order to make the most of the limited space available, as well as some emotional and social adjustments.
The campus visit is one of the first steps in preparing a student for college dorm life. Prospective students may be permitted to tour a college campus in order to get a sense of how they will live there in the future. A tour of the college dorm rooms, with or without the presence of older residents, is usually part of that visit.
A student should pay close attention to the dimensions and amenities provided in each college dorm during this preliminary trip. Is there a sufficient number of closets and dressers? Is there a phone line and a television cable connection? Is it possible to bring outside furniture into the room and will it fit?
The word “economy” comes to mind when it comes to college dorm life. With limited living space, you should carefully examine your belongings and determine which are the most important. Cut the list in half again once you have it in your head. If the need arises, some items can be purchased on campus later.
Clothing should be stored in a closet and dresser drawers, and personal electronics and office supplies should be kept on a desk in a college dorm. A small microwave oven and a dorm-sized refrigerator may be the only appliances available. Other services, such as laundry and showers, are typically shared. In a typical college dorm, privacy can be a luxury.
Friends and relatives play an important role in preparing for college dorm life. Although college dorm living allows you to socialize with your roommates and other residents, nothing beats a phone call or a weekend visit from a hometown friend. If you have loved ones who might want to visit, make sure you give them your campus mailbox address, cellphone number, and college dorm room number. If the campus is close enough, it may be possible to keep up with some of your regular activities, such as church or a part-time job. If your campus dorm is out of state, schedule a few weekend visits to keep in touch with your peers.
Make a list of any special equipment or accessories you’ll need to make your college dorm room functional. Computer modems, cable boxes for televisions, and brackets for stereo speakers are all useful, but not readily available in the dorm. Because a college dorm is very accessible throughout the day and roommates may not keep track of their visitors, keep valuable items under lock and key. Many college dorms have a popular activity of lending and borrowing personal items, so know who you can trust and who you shouldn’t.
Be aware that living in a college dorm can feel like living in a fish bowl, so expect some invasion of privacy. Some of your neighbors could become lifelong friends, while others could make your life a living hell. It’s possible that your new best friend and your worst enemy both live two doors down.
The college dorm experience can be stressful for some students, particularly those who have limited experience living away from home. Joining college clubs that match your interests and taking advantage of counseling services during times of real conflict may be beneficial. Most problems you may encounter during your first months in a college dorm should be resolved by experienced resident advisors and housing directors.