I have really struggled through my first semester of college to adjust to dorm life.

I came to a realization as I was trying to describe my living situation to someone who stayed home for college. I realized the best comparison to living in a dorm would be living at a summer camp. When you think about it, dorm life and summer camp are remarkably similar.

My RA keeping tabs on me is just like my camp counselor. The bathrooms in dorms are equally grimy and lacking in privacy as those in summer camps. Perhaps worst of all, you don’t have a car, so you can’t escape these less-than-ideal living quarters.

With all of this said, I know there are some students who love dorm life, and who loved summer camp too (I wasn’t a fan). They love the camaraderie that comes along with living at school. Praise to all of you--I wish I felt the same. But I know I’m not alone. There are many others out there who, like me, barely tolerate their living situations at school. I'm sure you can relate to the following:

1. Obnoxious hallmates

Trying to go to bed at 1:30 a.m. the night before an exam? Good Luck, because Sally down the hall is blasting her favorite EDM in the shower...and it echos at full volume through your building.

2. Meal plans

I will never understand why we are required to purchase a meal plan. I eat the same 3 meals on rotation because I am vegetarian and it’s all that is available. Literally all I eat is oatmeal, soggy vegetable wraps, and oily stir fry. Even if I wasn’t vegetarian, they still don’t serve the best food. If they are going to require us to purchase their food, they should at least make it good.

3. Contraband kitchen appliances

Not only do they force you to buy their food...they also don’t let you make your own. No toasters, crock pots, hot plates or anything with exposed heating. I understand that this is for fire safety, but I just really miss toast.

4. No car

When I visited my school senior year, I loved the surrounding area. I didn’t occur to me until I moved in that couldn’t explore the area without taking Ubers everywhere, which is way too expensive. Upperclassmen, I am jealous of all of you and your cars.

5. No time for yourself

If you value some alone time each day, there is little opportunity for that when you’re living away at school. You’re literally around people 24/7. Even in the bathroom. This leads me to my next struggle.

6. Shower shoes

No one likes wearing shoes in the shower. Also, if you drop something on the floor of the shower, it’s gone forever. Picking it up to use again is not an option.

7. Small rooms

Our room is about 14ftx12ft. So that means that since there’s two of us, we each have to cram all of our belongings into a space that is 7ftx6ft. Literally all of my clothing, school supplies, my coffee maker, printer, bed, desk, chair, dresser….(etc). It gets claustrophobic.

Bottom line is: I’m not a fan of dorm life, but I deal with it. If dorm living is all that is necessary for me to get an education from an incredible school, I’m grateful. It’s certainly well worth the soggy vegetable wraps and the slimy shower stalls.