Going from living in your own room to sharing a dorm room with other people can be rough. For me, this was the biggest shock I've had in college so far. Now that it is my second semester, I have figured out most of the tips and tricks to living in a dorm room (I think). Here are my top five!

1. Lofted Beds

Having a lofted bed is like living on the top of a bunk bed without the bed below. The beds are adjustable, but if you have limited space in your room it is necessary to have storage space beneath your raised bed. In order to avoid the uncomfortable ladder-like steps on the end of the bed, you can put your dresser or another object slightly under the bed to act as a platform. Take a deep lunge and launch yourself onto the bed (but hold onto the bedpost while doing so)! Who knew that getting into bed could be such a great workout?

2. Taking Showers

You never truly appreciate something until it's gone. Hot water is a luxury in my dorm. It feels super wasteful, but you have to give the shower at least five minutes to warm up, sometimes even longer. You never want to be the last person to take a shower either. After the first three people shower, you're going to have significantly cooler water. When the water stays chilly, however, you can tough it out (brave soul) or call your campus maintenance and hope they turn the hot water back on soon.

3. Sleeping with Noise

Not only are you sharing your room and bathroom, but also your walls! I live in a quad which means that there are eight girls sharing a common living space. You can hear each other through the walls and doors. You can also hear the people who live above or below you. Noise isn't too bothersome during the day, but if you're like me, it really messes with your sleep. The best way to lessen this problem is to talk to your roommates. Ask them if they wouldn't mind shutting their doors and being quieter after a certain time. If that doesn't work, ask your RA to talk to your roommates.

4. Bad Reception

I really can't give you advice that will change this problem, but I can tell you what I do. The best spots for service in my room are by the windows and against the outside walls. I get as close as possible to the wall while I talk. If that doesn't work, I go outside and make my phone call quick.

5. Unreliable Air Conditioning

My dorm is freezing! The best trick for braving the cold in your room is to bring lots of blankets and some warm house shoes or slippers. Trust me, no one will judge you for wearing them! On the other hand, if your dorm is hot, don't use blankets and have a fairly thin quilt or comforter. Don't even think about wearing a onesie to bed.

If you have any tips or tricks for living in a dorm, let me know! The best way to learn about these things is by asking other people. Dorm living is better when you are prepared for it rather than jumping in the freezing shower and finding out the hard way.