Living in a Dorm

One of the best and sometimes worst things about college is dorm life. Making new friends and feeling independent for the first time can make moving to college seem like a huge step.
For some college students, however, dorm life is anything but a positive experience. It can have all kinds of negative consequences. The adjustment from moving from a comfortable home with many rooms to a single room dorm is huge. You should DO everything you can to make sure you are prepared.
Just ask Emily Bohonos, a dorm life expert, who was a resident advisor for two years during college. She says there are a few things students should keep in mind to make the transition into the dorm a little smoother.

DON'T BRING THE KITCHEN SINK
"Remember that space is really tight," Bohonos says. "Obviously certain items are essential for college life, but many things are not. Before leaving home, prioritize your belongings and leave behind anything you can do without." Some important things you may forget (or might not even know you need) can be found on the Web sites listed at the end of this article. If you're in doubt, leave it at home. You can always have your parents mail things to you, or pick them up when you're home on break. Also, if you'll be living with a roommate, it's a good idea to find out if your school will give you his or her name and phone number before school starts. You can give your new roommate a call to find out who should bring what, like a refrigerator or TV. Make sure you check with the college to find out what is and isn't allowed in the dorms. Some schools are strict about things like hot plates, crock pots, toasters, microwaves and even refrigerators. There's no point in lugging these things all the way to school only to have to send them back again.

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
"Keep an open mind," says Bohonos, "you will meet a ton of people when you move into the dorms - some of them you'll like, some you won't. Some of them will look like your friends from home, yet some people may look like they're from Mars." "However, it is almost certain that some of the people you like the most during the first few weeks of school won't turn out to be your friends at all. Try not to judge anyone too quickly on shallow things - like, her family has a lot of money, his family doesn't, she looks like a Goth, he looks like a jock..." College is all about new experiences, and living in the dorms is probably one of your first chances to be an adult, so act like one and try to be respectful of people's differences.

JUST SAY NO
According to Bohonos, "Moderation is the key. When you move into the dorms, no one is going to be looking over your shoulder to make sure you get up in time for class, do your schoolwork, or eat well. There are a lot of temptations out there, and many students may not be prepared for them." "Temptation can come in different shapes and forms - credit card offers, drugs, alcohol, sex, and even junk food." "Many students suffer from the 'freshman 15' as a result of living in the dorms for the first time. But that is mild compared to those who rack up thousands of dollars in credit card debt or flunk out of school because they were too busy partying." No one is telling you not to have fun and try new things at college. But unlike high school, you are now responsible for your own success.

GO OUTSIDE
Bohonos advises, "Last, but not least, get out of the dorms sometimes! There are some students who have such a great time in the dorms, they practically never leave. Some colleges inadvertently accommodate this, by holding classes and selling food in the dorms. You may meet a great group of friends who live in your hall, but resist the urge to let that become your entire circle. There are great students all over campus, but if you never leave the dorm, you'll never meet them. Also, take advantage of the community. Most colleges have great college towns with a lot to offer, so don't be afraid to venture off campus sometimes as well." Before you move into the dorms, do some research and find out all you can about dorm life. Check with your school to see if they'll let you take a walk through the dorms. Or if you have an interview with a student, ask him or her about the dorms. Some colleges designate different buildings for different things - a quiet dorm for people who need that type of environment to study, an international dorm, for students from other countries, even major-specific dorms. With a little preparation, knowledge and homework, you can stack the odds in your favor and set up an environment conducive to learning and having fun during college.

Article provided by