For being someone who never had to share a room, the thought of moving into a college dorm was an idea that made my hands sweat a little more than they already do on a regular daily basis. I was scared my freedom to walk around naked and act like a pop-star in my mirror when a good song came on were going to be taken away from me!

However, two years later, I'm struggling to imagine life outside of a dorm room. My living quarters might have been small, but the memories weren't. I tear up a little every time I think about having to turn in my room key or rent out the vacuum that smells like mothballs for the last time. Dorm life, you have treated me well, and I will miss you dearly for several reasons:

1. The microwave lifestyle.

It was always comforting to know if I was disappointed by the cafeteria options, I could always count on those delicious microwaveable life savers. Macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, Ramen and microwaved cookie dough (what's ecoli anyways?). A dorm diet = a diet of champions.

2. Not having to pay for toilet paper or hand soap.

Who needs two-ply or sweet smelling suds when you don't have to pay for them?! For free, I'd be willing to wipe with sandpaper and have hands that smell like moldy cheese.

3. The casual naked bathroom conversations.

What better way to get to know someone on your floor than when wrapped in your towel? We might have all been naked, but it was these moments gathered around the sinks with mouths full of toothpaste and spit that we were able to have the best life chats.

4. The hallway community.

Some of the most beautiful and supportive people I have met in my life have been those who lived on my dorm floor. My days were never complete without them.

5. The smell of burnt popcorn.

Going into college, I always failed at the art of making popcorn. And, after my first two years of college, I have emerged still terrible at making popcorn. The burnt smell lingers for miles, and those charred kernels will forever hold a special place in my heart, my nostrils and my taste buds.

5. The easy solution to every clothing crisis.

Thanks to dorm life, my wardrobe multiplied by at least 15. It was always reassuring to know if I was ever caught in a fashion emergency, I could raid someone else's closet.

6. The fact that every night was a giant sleepover.

Mom would never let me have a sleepover on a school night. But, thanks to friends living just seconds down a hallway and the abundance of futons, every night we could've had pillow fights in our bras and underwear if we wanted to!

7. Room decorating.

It was my HGTV dream come true. A room all to myself to decorate, and the easy,well somewhat easy, times when I decided to redecorate.

8. The pillow talk.

I loved having a roommate who I could always count on to gossip with when I couldn't go to bed. The best chats were those had in the dark right before we passed out for the night.

9. Getting ready for dances.

People were always around to give you advice on if your shoes matched your dress and personal hairstylists and makeup artists were always at your disposal.

10. The room temperature battle.

Two people, one room and the fight to the death for control of the AC and heating unit. When this was the only thing you disagreed with your roommate on, I guess you had it pretty good. As much as I hated being cold, I for sure will miss those moments when I had to layer up when my "Ice Princess" of a roommate came back to the room.

11. The excuse to push laundry off as long as possible.

It costs so much money, so I could justify wearing something at least five more times before I had to wash it.

Dorm life has made me into a better person. Learning how to give and take as a roommate, how to balance my school and social life, how to master the art of silently getting ready in the dark in the morning, but most importantly how to be a member of a community. It's sad to see my dorm days come to a close, but I am so grateful to have had them!