As another fall semester comes to a close, it’s surreal to think that among the students packing up to go home for break are individuals with a slightly more daunting task after the end of finals: moving out of the residence hall for good. Indeed, many students heading abroad for the spring semester are not simply taking a hiatus from dorm life, but will count these past few months as their final term of calling the communal bathrooms and lofted beds of the dorm home, since living off campus senior year is now commonplace. I never thought that I would be sentimental about leaving the cinder block walls in my room of McGlinn Hall, and while I certainly won’t shed any tears about not having to wear shower shoes in my apartment next year, there is something about the knowledge of the impending change of such a fundamental aspect of my college experience that illuminates the many things I took for granted during my time in McGlinn. And I realize that, despite my excitement to reside in London next semester and cook meals with my friends senior year, there are some special things about dorm life that are simply irreplaceable. Here are five of the plethora of things I’ll miss most about calling McGlinn Hall home:
1) Roomie Pillow TalkThis is one of the most underrated aspects of sleeping ten feet away from your roommate. Some of the best conversations I’ve had with my roomie were the times when we were both half asleep well after midnight in the mood to talk about everything and anything. I firmly believe that you don’t really know a person until you’ve had some quality pillow talk.
2) Shower Parties
The only thing I will miss about sharing a communal bathroom with forty girls is the 8 p.m. ritual of boom box jam sessions, when my entire hallway collectively belts Taylor Swift in the shower. I don’t believe I’ll ever enjoy showering as much when I have a bathroom to myself.
3) Section Family
In a dorm as big as McGlinn, it’s nearly impossible to get to know all of the girls residing in the hall. The small sections the dorm is broken up into, however, become as intimate and comforting as family. You become accustomed to popping into girls’ rooms when you’re in the mood for a venting session, a Gossip Girl marathon, a hug, a dance party, or a cuddle. I’ll miss the sisterhood of dorm sections, because they are what truly make the residence hall a home.
4) Cleaning Services
It’s funny that the little everyday things taken for granted are the ones you realize you’ll greatly miss at the thought of losing them. Besides being in the fortunate position of benefitting from the dorm cleaning service that takes care of the hallways and bathrooms, I will miss the personable cheerful, contagious warmth of the cleaning ladies McGlinn is lucky enough to employ. Trudging through the hallway to my room after a stressful exam and being gently told to “Cheer up, honey!” by one of the cleaning ladies made so many of my days. Their small acts of kindness reminded me of the power of a simple smile, and they certainly will not be forgotten.
5) Dorm Pride
In a school without Greek life, Notre Dame pours spirit into dorm life in a truly unique manner. I remember the overwhelming fierce loyalty and pride the girls leading my freshmen orientation had for McGlinn Hall as they passed their zeal for the dorm on to the incoming class, teaching us chants, dances, and rallying cries that immediately made me feel like a part of something huge. That sense of belonging and the camaraderie of the men and women in the dorms is a powerful one that truly fosters the tight-knit relationship of the entire student body. There is simply no way to replicate the authentic passion and solidarity of Notre Dame residence halls, and I will miss living in a dorm infused with such a strong sense of identity. Of course, even though I won't technically be residing there next year, I don't think I'll ever stop being a McGlinn Shamrock. #livelovemcg.
