Best of times, worst of times

Making new friends and feeling independent for the first time can make the move to college seem like a huge step. For some college students, however, dorm life is anything but a positive experience. The adjustment of moving from your comfortable home to a single room in a dorm is a big adjustment to make.

Just ask Emily Bohonos, a dorm-life expert who was a resident advisor for two years. She says there are a few things students can do in order to make the dorm transition smooth.

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.”

If you’re in doubt, leave it at home. You can always have your parents mail things to you, or you can pick them up while you’re home on break. If you’ll be living with roommates, ask your school for their names and phone numbers before the semester begins. You can give your new roommates a call to find out who should bring what, such as the refrigerator or television.

Make sure you check with the college to find out what is and what isn’t allowed in dorm rooms. Some schools are strict about items such as hot plates, crock pots, toasters, microwaves and even refrigerators. There’s no point in lugging these appliances all the way to school, only to have to send them back home again.

DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
“Keep an open mind,” Bohonos says. “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.”

College is all about new experiences. Living in a dorm is probably one of your first chances to be treated as an adult. So act like one, and try to be respectful of other people’s differences.

JUST SAY NO
According to Bohonos, moderation is 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,” she says. “There are a lot of temptations out there, and many students may not be prepared for them.”

Temptations come in all shapes and forms, from credit card offers to drugs and alcohol, from sex to junk food. “Many students suffer from the ‘freshman 15’ as a result of living in the dorms for the first time,” Bohonos says. “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 or try new things at college. But don’t forget it’s now you who is responsible for your own success.

GO OUTSIDE
A dorm can be a great place to hang out, but Bohonos says it’s just as important to get out of them sometimes. Some students get so involved in dorm life that they rarely leave. College towns can inadvertently encourage this, by holding classes in 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,” Bohonos says. “There are great students all over campus. If you never leave the dorm, you’ll never meet them.” Bohonos also suggests taking advantage of your college’s off-campus community.

Before you move into the dorms, do some research and find out all you can about dorm life. When visiting, ask to see a dorm room or talk with a student who lives in the dorms. Some colleges designate different dorms for people with different characteristics, such as a quiet dorm, an international dorm and even major-specific dorms. With a little preparation, knowledge and homework, you can stack the odds in your favor of choosing a place to live, learn and have fun in college.

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