As a freshman, I live in a freshman experience dorm. Basically this means that only freshman live in my building (except for the PLs).There are 38 girls on my floor and I love it. We do a lot together, including share a bathroom. Now some people are completely anti-community bathrooms, while others are pro. I love having my own bathroom but I also really like the atmosphere of the community bathrooms.
Here are some of my likes and frustrations with community bathrooms:
Pro: You Don't Have To Clean A Bathroom
Cleaning your bathroom can be gross, tedious work, and with community bathrooms, you don't have to clean. The school has hired people to come and clean the bathroom for you! Not having to clean the bathroom gives you more time to study or bond with your floor mates.
Con: People Don't Clean Up After Themselves At All
Sure there are people who clean the bathrooms for us, but that does not mean that you can leave your hair in the shower. It is pretty gross to get into the shower stall after a long day and find hair clogging the drain. And no matter how much you ask people to clean their hair out of the shower, they never seem to remember to do it.
Pro: You Bond With Your Floor Mates
You can get really close to people if you see each other right after you wake up, when you're drowsy and have bed head. It is fun to walk into the bathroom in the morning with your toothbrush and toothpaste in hand and see everyone else getting ready, too. At times it feels like a giant slumber party. In addition, it is fun to sing in the shower with a chorus of girls; it really adds depth to the song. There's nothing like belting out some Frozen with the other girls on your floor to form unbreakable bonds of friendship.
Con: You Have To Wear Shoes In the Shower
You technically don't have to wear shoes in the shower. But with so many people using the same showers, it is safest to wear shower shoes. You get used to it, but you start to appreciate not having to wear shoes in the shower at home even more.
Pro: Huge Mirrors
Since the community bathrooms are meant for 30+ people, the mirrors are huge. You can see your full outfit and make sure everything is in place. Plus you can definitely find the perfect angle for that mirror selfie.
Con: Shower Temperature
Finding the perfect shower temperature in community bathrooms is very hard because each shower stall has its own temperature. One is crazy hot, another chilly, one chilly until another shower runs, and another the opposite. You have to know which shower you are getting into, and you have to mentally prepare yourself before hand. Then finding the perfect temperature is difficult because if you turn the knob too far it is really hot, but on the other end it is really cold.
There are pros and cons to the community bathrooms. They increase the feeling of camaraderie but can also be a little gross. I, however, am content with sharing my bathroom, and I look forward to all the different shower songs that are still left to be sung.
