Going to college is a different experience for everyone. There's new things to try, both good and possibly bad for your health, and a whole new community to find your niche in. Some people go about college kind of "traditionally." They have a roommate or two, they play a sport or join some clubs, and go to most of their classes. Others go a different route, like me, and choose things someone who is looking for a more "typical" college experience might not, like living in a single. The experience can be liberating and have its benefits, but there's also things that come with it you wouldn't think would be true.
1. You won't throw as many parties in your single room as you imagined.
... or any at all, if you're like me. When I came into my sophomore year knowing I had a room to myself, I thought I'd be having people over all the time and staying up having a good time till the early morning life. That isn't quite the case. Maybe it's just me, but after being in class all day, sharing energy with classmates and friends, I am glad to go back to my room and not have to share that space or have anyone in it if I don't want to.
2. You will probably keep your room cleaner than if you lived with other people.
I spent my freshman year of college living in a room with two other girls. Our room wasn't a mess, per say, but it definitely didn't come close to being 100% clean. At all. There were weird smells, papers cluttering desks, clothes covering chairs and space under the bed... it is 'lived-in' chaos. I never felt too bad about or frustrated by the state of our room. There was three of us, the mess wasn't all mine, I didn't care too much. Living on my own, I clean at least twice a week. I see the mess now, and it is all me. There's no one else to blame, and so, you clean. More than you would ever imagine.
3. It's harder to keep up with assignments.
When you live around other people, you seem them doing their work or goofing off, and it reminds you to either do your work or not goof off (or do). Living alone, you have only yourself to hold accountable. I've tried to combat any potential laziness by having two calendars, a day planner, and reminders on my devices (my phone, iPad mini, and laptop). So far, it's been working out fairly well. I've kept mostly on track. However, without roommates around to remind me of what I should probably be doing, it's definitely been harder to find the motivation. If you ask me, I think roommates are beneficial in this way. They can help drive you to keep up with what you need to. (I still wouldn't go back to sharing my room though).
4. You'll probably spend a lot more time in a lot less clothing.
Now, this is neither a pro nor con. It just happens. Living with roommates, it's always in the back of your head that you should change fast or get dressed quickly after a shower, don't wanna be hanging out in your birthday suit too long. Those moments of alone-ness were all too rare and short lived. Having a single, there's no pressure. Throw on some underwear, check your phone. Find a shirt, have a bowl of cereal or two. Eventually you'll get pants on and be ready for class or whatever have you.
5. You'll bond more with your hall.
I assume this could be different for many people, but for me I've bonded more with my hall mates than I did last year. Freshman year, I wasn't friends with anyone in my hall. This year, all my hall mates knock all the time, at first it was just to see my room because "Oh my gosh, you get a room to yourself? I bet it looks huge! Can I come in?" At first it seems annoying maybe, but eventually these girls have become my friends and I'll leave my door open because, one, I don't have to ask any roommates for permission, and two, I have people who want to talk to me! And I want to talk to them. So it's a win-win.
