Despite the stereotype of dorm life being the absolute worst, it isn't all that bad. Here at Syracuse, we have a two-year on-campus living requirement, so it is time to start looking on the bright side. Here are some of the benefits of living in the dorms.
1. Dining Hall Services
As much as people like to hate on dining hall food, the accessibility of having food at all times is pretty great. Any time you feel hungry, you can just go down a few floors and indulge yourself. This can be both a blessing and a curse. Food at the ready any time you want it. You can save yourself a long walk to the nearest Chipotle and just walk a few steps outside your room.
2. Roomies
Even if you don't automatically hit it off with your roommate, you automatically have a new friend and someone to text if you ever feel the need to talk to someone. A best case scenario is they become your best friend and you end up being inseparable for all of the freshman year. Worst case scenario, you don't talk to them all that much, but don't feel so alone and know you have someone to count on to grab your notes if you forgot them on your desk.
3. RA's
Most people cannot stand this person, because they tend to snitch on the students on the floor. However, they are just doing their job. These people can be exceptionally cool and if everyone is the worst on your floor, you can always talk to your RA, that's what they are there for. They can help throw together floor events in your common room and help bring friends together by hosting great floor meetings. They are there to help you and you can always count on them to listen to you if you ever are feeling down.
4. Your Own Space
Although you might have had this in high school, college is way different. You no longer have parents telling you to clean your room or not eat on your bed. If you want to keep your space a pigsty, that's your right, and that's what can be so liberating. You have the choice to do and act however you want in your own space. You can put up posters and photos of you and your drunk friends and no one can tell you it's wrong.
5. Simplification
When you have such limited space, you figure out what's important to you and what's not. This can really help to simplify your life and figure out what your priorities might be. So try to strip your possessions down to the bare minimum with the space that you have and you might be able to uncover who you are at the center.
