I've always heard people complain about dorm life. They told me it was terrible and the only thing for you to do was suffer through until you could get out and into an apartment. Hearing all of these horror stories as an incoming college freshman, I was terrified that I'd have the roommate from hell, or the rooms would be so small I couldn't breath. I expected the worst. Now, as a rising sophomore with my freshman year behind me, I know better. I loved living on campus in a dorm, so much so that I'm doing it again next year! I've compiled a list of my top tips on how to make living in a dorm an enjoyable experience.
Decorate
To begin with, dorm rooms look like prison cells. The walls are bare, there is no color outside of the bland beige and browns, and the floors are empty. You're going to be spending nearly a whole year of your life in there so you must make it your own. Bring in a bright bed spread or curtains, cover the walls in pictures of you and your friends or pets, and hang lights from every possible place. Rugs also do wonders for cozying up a space. Don't be afraid to move stuff around. The room may seem bigger once you turn your bed or scoot your desk over a bit. Make sure you have plenty of places to sit as well. When your suite mates pop in or you have friends over you want them to have a place to park it.
Don't Feel Like You and Your Roommate Have to be BFF's
If the two of you get along really well and share a lot of interests, then that's terrific! For most people that will not be the case, and that's ok. Everyone knows you can't force a friendship. Just because you are living together does not mean all of your free time needs to include each other. For me, I need a break from even my closest friends. Ending the day by going back to my room where they didn't live gave me a chance to regroup.
Never Vent About a Suite Mate to Anyone Else in Your Suite
When you live in close quarters with a group of people, you are going to learn a lot about them. Odds are some of those things are going to annoy you. It is perfectly normal to really like someone but dislike some of their actions. Everyone needs a chance to let off some steam. When you need to vent, find someone outside of your suite. Go hang out with a friend and unload, call up your mom and let her listen, or even leave comments with the lady that swipes your card in the cafeteria. Whatever you do, do not talk to someone that lives with you. Word will always get back around to the person you're venting about, even by accident. The last thing you want to do is start a drama-war with someone who has access to your room.
Say What Needs To Be Said
If a suite mate is throwing your towels on the floor, tell them to please stop. If someone hasn't taken their turn to buy bathroom supplies, tell them. If you take the trash out every time, tell your roommate to take her turn. You have to live in that suite so you get a say. Don't spend the whole year suffering in silence. Just make sure when you are voicing your concerns that they don't come out as demands. You can get your point across without attacking them.
Buy a Tool Kit
This tip may sound a little silly but believe me, it may just be the most important one. After I graduated from high school, a cousin of mine gave me a big pink tool kit as a gift. While thankful, I didn't think too much of it at the time. I packed it up with all of my college things and brought it to school with me. Little did I know that not only myself, but nearly every other person in my suite would use it at some point throughout the year. Not only did it build up whatever was broken, it also provided me with the opportunity to "build-up" some friendships.
Keep Things Tidy
Never forget that you're sharing your room. It is just as much your roommate's room as it is yours. When you spill your ramen noodles all over the floor, clean it up. When you're in hard-core study mode with your notes and books sprawled around the room, straighten them up when you're done. When the trash can is overflowing with pizza boxes and water bottles, take it out. No one wants to live in a pig stye, take the time to do your part.
Leave a Little Something Behind
When it is time to leave the room at the end of the year you're supposed to clean everything out and leave it just as you found it. I'm a firm believer that you take and leave something everywhere you go. That room took a whole year of your life. By this point you know the room from top to bottom. You know where every little crack in the wall is, where every stray pencil mark is, and you know every place that you accidentally peeled off a little paint. When I moved out I left a few glow-in-the-dark stars on the top of the wall beside my bed. Be sure to leave a little something behind for the next person to find.
