Freshman year, we all get assigned to our dorm room, and many of us are assigned to forced triples and quads. It was all so exciting until it became a little too cramped for space, and many of us longed for our own beds at home. The first week of school freshman year, my roommate said to me, “Only eight more months of living in this shoebox.” I never thought of my dorm as a shoebox until I realized how ordinary and small the room was. For all eight months, I would be surrounded by the same four walls, sharing this limited space with two other people. There were so many times throughout the year where people had told me they wanted to go home and have their own space. However, there are too many reasons to enjoy this space you’re living in and here’s why:

1. It's unique.

There are not many other times that you can say you lived in a “15’ by 12’” room, using the same space as your bedroom, pantry, and living area.

2. You can design it however you like.

Your parents aren’t nagging you to clean up your mess either.

3. You make your own rules.

You finally have the authority to make decisions for how you live.

4. You can sleep whenever and take unlimited naps.

5. You're going to get super close with your roommates, whether you like it or not.

It’s good to have someone always around to help you with whatever you need.

6. Your bed is like your temporary home.

You should make it as comfortable as possible because you are going to be in your bed a lot, whether it’s sleeping, doing homework, eating, or watching netflix.

7. You can redecorate your room whenever.

It can be fun to move beds and furniture around to make the room more spacious and fun.

8. You're close to everyone and everything.

If you're late for class, it's only a quick run away.

9. You're rarely lonely.

You are always surrounded by your roommates or your friends down the hall.

10. You have the benefit of getting to share things with your roommates (other than the food).

It could be clothes or textbooks that you are missing.

11. Some of the best memories of your life will be made in this small space, so enjoy it while it lasts.