1. A microwave that does not smell like Ramen
I can count the number of times that I, myself, have eaten the infamous college dinner of Ramen Noodles and the number of times that I have seen other people eating Ramen Noodles on one hand. However, because it is college and a requisite, after one week the microwave in the social lounge smelled heavily of Ramen Noodles, and it has yet to diminish (I don’t think it ever will).
2. An oven
I know it is another kitchen/food related item, but I dearly miss having an oven. As someone who frequently baked in high school, I dislike my new inability to not be able to make four dozen cookies on any random afternoon. Recently, an organization on campus did a bake sale and asked for volunteers to bake and, for the first time since freshman year, I was not able to due to lack of easy access to an oven.
3. Recycling bins
Although not an avid environmentalist, I try to do my part in the whole helping the planet thing by recycling. However, this became a lot more difficult the instant I moved into a dorm room. My building has recycling bins, but they are located down the hall and are normally full. And there is not bin for paper or cardboard, which is a majority of what I have to recycle. So, into the dumpster, countless first draft essays and empty cereal boxes have gone.
4. Free laundry
I actually do not mind doing laundry. I greatly enjoy having a fresh, clean clothes. But at $1.25 per wash and per dry, a little bit of the enjoyment is gone. I still do laundry weekly, but am not at all pleased at paying nearly $3.00 every week to do it.
5. Free dogs
Never in my childhood from ages one to 17 did I go without having at least one dog. Waiting at home, are two fantastic dogs. My college, like many others, have rescue dogs to play with to aid stress reduction on campus every couple of weeks. However, you have to pay money, and sometimes sign a waiver, to pet them. Whereas at home, I could pet my rescued dogs for free.