When you think of living in a college dorm, what comes to mind? My expectations of a dorm before I started college were that it would be crowded, crowded, dirty, and just awful for anybody who had to live there. You can imagine how I felt when I found out that for my first year of studies, I would have to live in a dorm.
I found out the hard way that I was wrong about dorm life after spending a year in one! In conclusion, I encourage every college student to live in a college dorm for a year or two if they have the opportunity. Do you still have doubts? Take a look at these five benefits of living in a college dorm to see how worthwhile it can be!
1. Make friends easily
Making friends on a college campus can seem overwhelming and difficult when you’re new. That’s when living in a college dorm comes in handy! When you’re in close quarters with a group of people, communication becomes natural. You see each other every morning and every evening, and you realise it’s easier to get to know each other if you live in the same building. My closest friends in college came from College Dorm Party, and I know many other students felt the same way.
2. Live close to classes
You’d have to wake up early when you’re living somewhere else to make it to an 8 am class on campus. There would be traffic, parking issues, and so much more to consider. You won’t have any problems living in a campus dorm. After getting ready, you walk over to your morning class with ease. I went to college while living both on and off campus, and dorm life was a saviour when it came to early morning classes.
3. Feel the freedom of independence
When you live in a college dormitory, no one is going to look after you, so you have to learn how to take care of yourself. When you were living at home, your parents or family may have taken care of meals, laundry, cleaning, and other errands. You may end up living in a dorm with a roommate who defines ‘clean’ differently than you do, which is great preparation for the real world, where you’ll likely be forced to compromise with friends, roommates, partners, and others you may end up living with.
4. Enjoy your college experience to the fullest
Living in a campus dorm puts you right in the centre of all the exciting college activities. There are clubs that organise get-togethers, students who throw parties, and academic organisations that host events. Living in a college dorm puts you right in the centre of all the action. The long route home won’t be an issue after a party, and you won’t have to worry about wasting an hour on your commute after a networking event. Living in a dorm will allow you to get the most out of your college experience.
5. Live in furnished housing
It’s hard (and expensive) to deal with the furniture when you’re moving into your own apartment. You need to buy a bed, a desk, a couch, and a chair, among other things, and those costs add up quickly. You also have to deal with all those things every time you move, including the relocation process. This is why living in a dorm is a great option for college students since it comes furnished with everything they need. It is my promise to you that this is one of the biggest benefits of living in student housing while you are in college.
Do not misunderstand me – living in a dorm is not perfect. Even with all the negatives associated with living in a dorm, the benefits you reap from doing so are well worth the risks. When possible, would you suggest living in a college dorm? Tell us what you think in the comments!