Freshman year: everyone is ready to move away and get their life started. You are independent, finally getting to be your own boss. You get to chose what you eat, when you sleep, and when you go out. What more could you want? As a freshman at the University of Cincinnati, I can confirm that all of this is beyond a dream, but what is it truly like living in a dorm?

Dorm living is something you have to adjust to, especially after the first week. It's odd to be calling a new place home, and when you're at your true home, with whomever it may be, it's almost unnatural to call your university home. After awhile, though, you will be calling it home. You learn to adjust to the random sounds outside your window, and your lovely neighbors reminding you that they are still awake by accidentally hitting the wall, or talking too loud. You learn to get used to a new cozy bed, and you make the room yours, and as well as your roommates.

Roommates are hit or miss. I lucked out with my roommate, I chose one randomly. I knew this way I wouldn't fight with a near dear friend, if anything I'd be fighting with a stranger. Luckily, I have yet to fight with my new friend, and my roommate. My advice to you all, incoming freshmen for next year, is to give it time to get close to your roommate! You will bond if you two are right for each other. I had the idea in my mind that my roommate and I would be best friends by the end of the first week, this was not the case, but we are getting closer, day by day.

Now, a concern that everyone has, no matter who you are, community bathrooms. I know I know, they're known for being gross and just unbearable. For some colleges, sadly this may be true, but at the University of Cincinnati, I have yet to ever cringe out of disgust. My only tip for you all, shower before the cleaning staff gets there. They can and will ask you to leave and wait, and nothing is worse than waiting to shower when you want to go to bed.

My last piece of advice for dorm living is to put yourself out there! Have your door open! Everyone says to, and its true. If you don't have your door open, you're not an open person, and people won't come up to you as often. Be kind, everyone needs support in college, and you will too. Offer your help to everyone, but don't let anyone take advantage of you. Finally, be true to yourself and your choice of education. Even if you have a tough time adjusting, give it time because this is your new home.