In a day, you go from living at your parents’ or guardians' house to living in a dorm room with one, two or three other people. Living in a dorm hall is a big change from living at home. You go from having a kitchen, living room and your own bathroom to sharing a room with however many people, no kitchen and sharing a bathroom with everyone on your floor. Of course, there are exceptions to this because some dorm halls have communal kitchens and you get a bathroom in some, but that isn’t the experience for everyone.
Moving into my freshman dorm was an adventure, driving three and a half hours down to Athens and then getting my key, dragging everything into my room and finally unpacking. It took a while to get used to living in a different state than everyone I knew. However, after a few weeks, I figured out how to make the most out of my small room.
A lot of people hate the idea of living in the dorm halls, but you can make the most of it very easily. One thing I highly recommend is decorating your room. Your room in college may be somewhat small and you have to share it in most cases. That doesn’t mean the walls should be empty. Your bedroom shows part of your personality. By putting up posters or choosing different color bed sheets you are showing a part of yourself. Decorating your room also makes it more comfortable and creates a sense of home.
Now you are sharing a space that is tiny with as many as three other people. I shared a room my entire life with my sister, but sharing with a stranger is way different than a sibling. People come into college rooming with a friend from high school expecting everything to go perfectly smoothly. That is not usually the case, as roommate conflicts are unavoidable. They can be big or over the smallest thing. The best thing to do at the start of the semester is to set boundaries, or better yet, fill out the roommate contract that Housing and Residence Life creates for students. Mental Health America has an article on roommates and things to discuss with one another. It is a great resource to look at when filling out roommate contracts.
Also, try becoming friends with your roommate. It is better to have a friend in your room than someone you simply cohabitate with. Making friends in college can be hard, so why not start with someone you will already see all day? Try going to the dining hall together for dinner or getting coffee with one another. Your resident adviser, or RA, will also host some events to get to know other people on your floor. These can help you bond with your roommate and meet the others on the floor. You never know who on your floor has the same major as you or has some of the same classes as you. Being in a dorm has some benefits besides a built-in community.
Your first two years in college you may live in a small room with a few other people, but it is an experience that you never get again. By making it your own, working with your roommates and knowing the people who live by you, your time in the dorm will be anything but boring.
Cassie is a junior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
