It's that time in your life. It's time to transition from your spacious room at home, to a dorm in college. Many freshman here at the university live in a dorm for their first year, as a means to get settled. I did that, I survived, and I'm here now to give a few pointers to those living there now!

Meet your neighbors

This is so crucial. My floor in Broward became a family, we all knew each other and still keep in touch to this day. Bad relations only hinders your experience. Dorms are a lot like hotel rooms, you bounce around all them looking for something to do. I remember going from room to room, hanging out with the guys, and even going out together at night as well. You become a group, a crew for a lack of a better word. It's always nice to have friends where you live. The first quote that pops into my head would be "Make peace, not war."

Open communication with your roommate

No one ever truly gets along with his or her roommate. It's inevitable. Whether you started out as friends, or were randoms, everyone has their minor feuds. This is why communication is key: the only way to problem solve is to talk it out. Plan out what days you can have your significant other over, or what day your roommate has a test, to ensure there is no reason to bump heads.

Respect the RA

The Resident Assistant (RA) is your major asset. Whether you actually like them or not, they determine whether your semester is a nightmare or a dream. As a freshman, I remember my RA Michael as being very laid back. We never had any problems with him, as long as we created no problems in turn. They are there to help you with roommate issues, dorm issues, and any general questions. They're very resourceful; if they don't know the answer, they'll do everything in their power to find the answer. Your semester is essentially dependent on them, so make sure to make a good impression!

Don’t ruin the kitchen

This is a COMMUNAL kitchen. This means that everyone on the floor (and other floors in the case of Murphree), use the kitchen! Most freshman are on meal plans, but those that choose to cook themselves need to understand that they must clean up after themselves as well. There are people that clean up the common area daily, but they are not your personal maids. In this scenario, it's crucial to implore the Golden Rule: One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself. If you want a clean kitchen, you have to respect the kitchen, since more people than just yourself will be using it. The same rule applies to the communal dorm bathroom.

Following these few simple suggestions could make the difference in your dorm experience. Personally, I'm thrilled to be done with the dorms (I now live in an apartment), but everyone should definitely have the experience. It's a stepping-stone into making you a better person, since you learn the fundamentals of being an adult: responsibility, communication and respect.