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Student Life

The Differences Between Living In A Dorm Versus Living In An Apartment

Moving into the dorm is an exciting time for a newly college student, but moving into an apartment is SO much different.

Emileigh Hearn
Aug 21, 2018
Mississippi State University
67
The Differences Between Living In A Dorm Versus Living In An Apartment
Emileigh Hearn

*cue the heart eyes*

I moved into my very first apartment yesterday and I have never been so excited for something in my entire life. I lived the dorm room for two years at Holmes Community College and loved it. It was an exciting time for a fresh high school graduate and I was ready to be out of my mom and dad's house. I rushed my senior year because I was ready to be some-what on my own in a town that was in the middle of nowhere. However, living in an apartment in a bigger town that actually has traffic lights is refreshing.

Like I said, I loved living in the dorm, but there were specific things that are different from having my own apartment. Living in an apartment is like getting a little glimpse of adulthood.

1. I no longer have to worry about having a curfew.

In a dorm, you have your own room, but there are certain times that you have to be inside the building, especially if you are an athlete. In an apartment, it is literally your house. You get to show up at 4:00 in the morning if you want to (although I do not recommend).

2. I get to cook anything I want with whatever I want.

In the dorm, there are restrictions on the appliances you can use. Some schools do not even allow for students to have their own microwaves! In an apartment, you have all the appliances that the average house has. It truly is amazing.

3. Candles. Candles. Candles.

Did I say that you could have candles in your apartment? O M G. Praise the Lord for a nice scented house. In the dorm, no open flames were allowed, so I died a little inside when I could not have my cinnamon candle burning for Christmas time.

4. I can have anyone and everyone over.

Some schools have different rules about visitation. At Holmes, we could not even have the opposite sex in our building, much less our rooms. Our siblings could not even come. At your own apartment, you can have whoever you want over, of course to the courtesy of your roommates. It is nice knowing you can have your parents, siblings, friends, and significant others over if you wanted.

5. I can overpack without it being a big deal.

In most dorm rooms, the space is super limited, so having all your clothes, shoes, and cute decorations is almost impossible. In your apartment, there is always rearranging to make space for what is necessary and sometimes even what is unnecessary.

6. No more community showers!!!

At most schools, the older dorm rooms have community showers for the residents living on the same hall. If you are okay with carrying a shower caddy every night to the shower, go ahead. I will be here enjoying my nice bathroom that I share with one other person.

7. I am my own mother and father.

I have not figured out if I like this one or not. I love that I do not have to worry about confiding in someone else when I want to go somewhere. I honestly have not figured out the getting sick part and the other adultish things about moving out.

For both moves, it was an exciting and emotional time. I have so many stories about living in Choctaw Hall in Goodman, Mississippi. I cannot wait to make new memories with new friends in my new apartment. There are all types of joy coming when you move into your own place for the very first time, whether it be the dorm room, an apartment, or a house, but in the wise words of Hannah Montana, "Life's what you make it," so wherever you are, it is possible to have whatever kind of time you want to have.

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