I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not the biggest fan of Old Dorms. I know some people get excited by the history they hold (Tina Fey, anyone?), but I still remember move-in day when my dad, who attended the University of Virginia, commented that they looked exactly the same as when he’d lived in Echols over twenty years ago. So I got quite the impression. But after almost a year of living in the Old Dorms, I’ve found they aren’t all bad. They’re not my favorite, but I’ve found a few good things about living in Old Dorms.

Pros:

1. They’re closer to central grounds

One thing I have appreciated about the Old Dorms is the location. The Chemistry Building is right across the street, Old Cabell is just a few minutes walk, and Newcomb is easily accessible via a shortcut by Curry. I do appreciate that I don’t have to walk as much, especially on days when I forget my stuff for class after walking out the door.

2. I don’t have to take my ID with me to go to the bathroom

When I had my two day orientation over the summer and stayed in the New Dorms, I was deathly afraid I was going to need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, forget my ID, and then get locked out of my room. However, as the Old Dorms have physical keys, I don’t have to worry about that. I can wander down the hallway without worrying that my door will close and I’ll be shut out for the night. I appreciate not having that additional worry.

3. Proximity of the Castle

I can recall many a weeknights when I’ve needed a pick me up or a snack to subdue my late night procrastination hunger, and all I had to do was make the minute-long trek to the Castle. One thing that definitely helps dispel the cons of any place is convenience. And it’s usually fairly quick unless you head there after a basketball game.

4. The beds aren’t lofted

It might just be me, but I’m not a big fan of lofted beds. I know they help give you more space, but I don’t like the idea of clumsily climbing up and down a little ladder in the middle of the night if I need to go to the bathroom. The trundle beds have been a blessing in disguise. Those drawers may be loud, but they allow me to be on the ground where I belong and feel safe.

5. The ghost of T.J. haunts me at night

I’m one hundred percent positive the ghost of Thomas Jefferson haunts the Old Dorms. The door creaks, the lights flicker, things fall off shelves, and I hear funny noises in the bathroom at 2 AM. Who could it be but T.J., reminding us that this is still his university? I know some of you are wondering how this can be a pro, but how many people can claim that they’re being haunted by the ghost of one of our Founding Fathers? I take pride in being haunted by T.J.

Cons:

1. No AC

This is by far the biggest downside to me, no question in my mind. Some people will say that it’s only a month at the beginning and end of the year that this really matters, but one, they’re wrong, and two, even so, that’s still two months. Heat doesn’t exactly sit well with me, and even gives me some trouble sleeping at times, which is not something to take lightly. I can’t close the window, so I have to listen to the people outside blasting rap music at one in the morning else I’ll be baked like a roast chicken. And even in the winter, the lack of airflow still makes the room stuffy unless we open the window a little. I can’t wait to return to the sweet embrace of AC soon.

2. Lack of lounges

Through the windows of the New Dorms I can see a lounge on every level, sparkling and cozy-looking, with brand new couches and everything, each lounge buzzing with people. In the Old Dorms the only lounges are in the basement, the lighting gives off an eerie glow, and the furniture is completely worn out. I think I can count the number of times I’ve seen people in there on one hand. I yearn for a slightly nicer lounge.

3. The closet

Or should I say the hole in the wall. Instead of a wardrobe, my roommate and share a small closet built into the room that really can’t be described as anything other than a hole in the wall. There’s not a lot of space to begin with, we have to share, and there’s no door or curtain. I’ve made it this far, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t bitter about it.

4. No access to a kitchen

A friend of mine who lives in the New Dorms once told me that around Christmastime her dorm got together and baked Christmas cookies. I wasn’t even jealous about the cookies; I was surprised to hear they had some sort of kitchen. Unless there’s some sort of secret kitchen nobody told me about, the only appliance I have easy access to is my microwave. And you can only do so much with a microwave. Sometimes I just want to cook my own eggs or something, is that too much to ask?

5. The ghost of T.J. haunts me at night

Wait, didn’t I just list this as a pro? Why yes, I did. The presence of T.J. is both a blessing and a curse. While I am privileged to be haunted by Thomas Jefferson, it can also be a nuisance. As I stated earlier, the door creaks and shakes, the lights flicker, things fall off shelves, and I hear funny noises. It’s all fun and games until you’re trying to get things done. It’s not easy to sleep when you’re screwing around, T.J.

So my year living in Old Dorms hasn’t been nearly as bad as I’d anticipated it to be at the beginning of the year. Actually, there are some good things to them that you can see if you squint real hard. But that doesn’t mean I’m not ready to drop it in a heartbeat for my dorm next year with a kitchen, couch, and, most importantly, AC.