Before my freshman year of college, my parents and I had made the choice that I would live at home my first year to save money. However, after locating a brand new living option two miles from campus that was significantly cheaper than living on-campus, I was excited. The building was located in a lower class neighborhood just outside of downtown and was also part of the old state asylum. The company was fixing up the ex-asylum administration building to turn it into student dorms and, as a fan of anything creepy, I was sold. I signed the lease moved into the building the following month.
Here are eight reasons for why living in the dorms was my best and worst choice..
1. Best Reason: Friends
During my stay at the building, I was surrounded by many different kinds of people. My building was a community within itself and always offered various people to hang out with. We all would group together in the common areas to watch movies or our favorite TV shows, play games, or have lengthy discussions about every topic imaginable. I even had many different people to go to when I needed help, whether it be emotional or homework help.
2. Worst Reason: Cliques
Since everyone tended to gather in the same communal areas, there always tended to be one or two people who would start fights. This would eventually result in cliques forming within the building. Some people were able to cross over between groups every so often, but usually it was rare. Plus, if your closest friends weren't in the building, it was typical to be left to stay in your room or alone in the common areas while everyone else went out without you, which was incredibly lonely at times.
3. Best Reason: Carpool Options
Since our building was two miles from the edge of campus, it was typical for many friend to not have cars and instead walk or ride bikes. Yet, on days it rained or we had a couple feet of snow and ice, no one wanted to trek to campus on foot or bike. So most people managed to find other dorm-mates who had classes at the same time and were willing to take them to campus. I always volunteered to drive friends if I could.
4. Worst Reason: No Carpool Options
There were days when no one was going to class or could take others to class on time, so no-car people would have to endure the rain or cold to get to class or not go altogether.
5. Best Reason: Close To/On Campus
Of course, being close to campus or on campus will make you more likely to go to school events or parties, get a job on campus, or go to study groups. If you live further off campus, it's easier to skip out on these opportunities provided to you by the school.
6. Worst Reason: Dorm Activities
Typically instead of going out to a campus event no one else wanted to go to, I would end up staying in the building hanging out with friends instead. Parties within my building were usually a common occurrence, so there seemed to be no reason for us to branch out. However, after actually going to various campus events, I found them to be much more entertaining at times. Plus I usually ended the night with free stuff instead of a trash can full of empty red cups!
7. Best and Worst Reason: Close To All Food Options
If you live in a dorm, you have every campus food available to you, plus everything off campus. You could eat in the cafeteria, the campus cafe, McDonalds down the street...and all of a sudden you've gained the freshman 15!
8. The Verdict
For me, it was a year full of ups and downs, but I wouldn't change it one bit. Living away from my parents for a year made me realize what I did and didn't want to prioritize. I ended the year of living in the dorms with fewer friends and a downsized Facebook friends list due to mass deleting a lot of people from the building. There were many sour feelings, yet I also learned who I really wanted to be around and what I wanted to do with my free time.
