1. The space seems to keep getting smaller and smaller.

Just when you think you might be getting used to how small your dorm is- it seems as if it might actually be shrinking.

2. You never know what the smell is.

Whether it's on your floor, or in the gym, in the dining commons, or in a classroom... you're very unsure of what the stench is. Sometimes it's a burnt ramen cooker, or Chinese food, maybe it's three-week-old food left in the fridge, or a dead fish; who knows?

3. They don't trust you with fire.

No candles... because we're not responsible enough to remember to blow out a candle, but we're responsible enough to remember to do all of our homework.

4. Your mom can't help you when you're sick.

As nice as it would be to have your mom drive to college just to take care of you when you're not feeling 100%... that's not realistic.

5. You have 50+ loud neighbors.

Maybe it's 1 p.m. and you're trying to study... or it's 12 a.m. and you're trying to sleep. Sometimes this is nearly impossible because of all the noise.

6. It's hard to find a good time to poop in peace.

You go to the community bathroom just at the perfect time and you think you can finally go in peace, and just as you get comfy someone else walks in. Now it just becomes this awkward silence of you both knowing what you're in there doing... but too afraid to do it while someone else is in there.

7. There's nowhere to work out without showing how uncoordinated you are.

No matter what time I go to the gym, I promise, there are at least five other people in there. And I promise, they are in better shape and more coordinated than I seem to be.

8. Personal space doesn't exist.

You go to your room and your roommate is there. You go to the bathroom and someone else is in there brushing their teeth or showering. You go to the kitchen to make ramen, someone is in there baking cookies. You go to the lounge to relax, a couple has made camp there.

9. You have to become scarce in your clothing and shoe selection.

Since you don't have as much space as you do at home- not all your clothes (or shoes) come with you. Thus, you wear and re-wear a lot of your favorite shirts.

10. You learn how to make it fit.

Since space is so limited in the tiny dorm room you share, you find weird places to make things fit. Under the couch, on the window sill, the very top of your bookshelf that you can't reach, on top of the fridge, crevasses between the wall and furniture. And if it doesn't seem like it will fit- you force it to fit.

11. The walking up and down the stairs to your floor eventually kicks your butt.

I live on the 3rd floor- I know, it's not even that bad. But let me tell you, walking up and down the stairs to come into the dorm, to take out the trash, to do laundry, to get your mail, to let your friend in... it becomes a chore, and a workout. And one of these times, I will fall down them I swear.

12. You learn to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable about P.D.A.

You learn to just let them be and keep walking. Eye-contact is discouraged.

13. People don't appreciate you singing in the shower.

You get the vibe they don't want you making your own music when they come in and turn on their speaker... volume at the max.

14. You don't know whose hair is whose.

I try not to look down at the sink when I brush my teeth because you never know who's hair is in the sick. Not only that, but it's on the floor and on the couches- it's literally everywhere.

15. In the winter walking literally anywhere feels like you walked across the North Pole.

The only way your class is getting canceled is if all of Hell freezes over. So if it's -1 degree with a windchill of -12 degrees, you better dress your warmest and prepare for your fingers, nose, toes, and ears to go numb.