Most people seem to think that if you never lived in the dorms, “Did you even go to college?” The answer is yes… I did. In fact, I think my experience was just as good, if not better than your experience in the dorms.

Why? Well, for starters, I was able to live alone which gave me so much extra room and freedom to do what I want. I was always afraid of getting a terrible roommate in a dorm, and I’ve seen the rooms you guys had to live in…There’s hardly any room to breathe, much less be able to have the freedom to do what you want with your space.

Maybe you’re thinking, “How did you afford that? Did you parents pay for it?”

No.

Actually, dorms are quite expensive and my parents had nothing to do with paying for any of my college experience, but with a job (or two) on the side and taking out a little more school loans, getting an apartment isn’t that hard. It’s even cheaper if you can find a roommate -- and you still get more room to yourself than in a dorm.

There’s also the factor of all the commotion that goes on in the dorms. Between the dorm parties, people acting reckless and roommates who bring in all sorts of things you don’t want to deal with (like boyfriends), I was much happier in an apartment where I was able to decide when the parties happened, who came over, and who I had to listen to.

I didn’t have to deal with people I didn’t want to, and I certainly didn’t have to deal with a roommate bringing over her boyfriend at night. Even if you get a roommate in an apartment, you get your own rooms so you don't have to see them all the time or listen to what/who they do in their free time (gross).

Some of you may enjoy those types of things, but I was able to make my own friends, have my own parties and enjoy my own life without dealing with people I didn't want to. That might not be your style, and that's cool, but I had an awesome experience living in apartments and I wouldn't change that for the world.

So before you think I didn't get the full college experience due to not living in the dorms -- think again.