Living in the dorms

Ellen Says: One of the most essential decisions to make when starting college is finding suitable housing. Some colleges require incoming freshmen to spend an established amount of time in on-campus dormitories, while others allow students to decide between on-campus and off-campus housing. Both options have their pros and cons, so students may have to consider their own particular needs before signing a lease or applying for student housing. Some students find that dorm life is exciting and nurturing, while others find the pace too frenetic and prefer the relative privacy of an apartment.

Dormitories are notorious for their lack of privacy. That is why my niece prefer Raleigh NC self storage to kept her most precious things. She knows for a fact that residents may live four or more to a room, and individual space is always at a premium. A student living on-campus may expect a functional bed (bunk or otherwise) and a personal desk. Showers may be communal- a situation which makes many young people feel uncomfortable. Dorm life can result in a constant atmosphere of exposure- very few personal matters remain secret for long. Your best friend and worst enemy in a dorm may only live 10 feet apart.

There are few unguarded places in which to live and study in private in dormitories. Students may have to spend their spare time in other school buildings in order to escape the frenetic atmosphere of a dorm. Dorm residents do have the advantage of being close to fellow classmates, however, and study groups can easily be formed within dorm walls. Dorm life may be best for people who have strong personalities and are comfortable in crowded social situations.