Living on campus for four years has brought my attention to specific problems that only a person who dorms would understand. Being a resident can have its advantages and disadvantages. Here are 10 common struggles that residents can relate too.
Small, Tiny, Minuscule: Dorm Room
Dorm rooms are particularly small. You must be patient and crafty to create extra extra space for you and your roommate(s). Good Luck.
Terrible Roommates
Fortunately, I was blessed with amazing roommates, but some people aren’t so lucky. Some people have a horrific time living with their roommate(s). Roommates who butt heads have a tension filled atmosphere in their cube of a room.Dirty Bathroom
Sharing a bathroom with multiple people becomes highly germ infested and disgusting. Isn't it just so pleasant to take a shower with someone else's hair? It doesn't help that you are all lazy and won't clean until there is a visible brown ring around the bathtub and toilet. Also, has anyone realized that the water in dorm showers is always freezing?
Fluctuating Temperature
For starters, many college dorms do not have air conditioning. This causes many restless nights due to sweating and humidity. The only way to stay cool is to have multiple fans blowing on you and wear as little clothing as possible. When it is winter, housing barely turns on the heat and since space heaters are forbidden in rooms because they are a fire hazard, one must wear layers of clothing and wrap themselves in blankets.
Fire Alarms Go Off At Ungodly Hours
Students are already sleep deprived due to countless hours of homework, so pulling the fire alarm isn’t that funny. I know I get angry when people interrupt my beauty sleep.
Vandalized Common Spaces
The public kitchen is always trashed, since some mothers didn't teach their children to clean up after themselves. And this is why we can't have nice things. *rolls eyes*
Uncomfortable Beds
Beds in dorm rooms are so high, that some people need to have a running start just to successfully get on their bed. How inconvenient is that? Another issue is comfortably. Sleeping on dorm mattresses is equivalent to sleeping on a hardwood floor.
Overbearing RA's
The RA's are constantly badgering residents to go to their monthly programs. We get it, it's in your job description, but where's the free food? Bribe people and they'll show up.
Fat And Unhealthy Food
Speaking of food, living on campus means surviving off greasy and fried foods every day. After a while, you get disgusted eating the same food, so make sure to eat healthy whenever you can.
Laundry
Having to haul your laundry basket own flights of stairs is already bad enough, but add the fact that certain colleges charge students out of pocket to use machines, now that is just ridiculous. With all the tuition that students pay, a basic necessity such as laundry should be free. Thankfully, my college included a small fee for laundry on my tuition bill, so I didn't have to worry about carrying around quarters anymore.
