Dorms Or Nah?
Having a hard time choosing whether you should get a dorm or not? Let’s take a look at some of the ups and downs of campus living.
April 12, 2017
Leaving the home you spent your entire life in can be scary or close to it. Planning for college takes a long time and you should start early. You will be dealing with many important things, from studying for tests to maybe working a job, but most importantly you will need to be planning where you will be living, whether it be in a dorm, an apartment, or even staying with family. For seniors Shamanta Castillo and Diany Stephany Paz, leaving home is a scary yet exciting prospect.
Decorate your dorm with your own unique style, and don’t be afraid to stand out and do something completely new/different. Sometimes if you’re lucky you have the opportunity to get a small room all to yourself. Photo by: The Australian Times and Wikimidia
“Oh it’s stressful, like your starting to become, um I guess an adult and trying to figure out some stuff,” Castillo said. “But at the same time its an experience, and I guess I’m excited for it. Cause I’m like going from high school to an adult I guess. I’m nervous but you know it’s something new.” Castillo will be attending Lonestar Comunity College before transfering to Texas State University.
For freshman, most colleges/universities will require them to stay in a dorm on campus before allowing them to choose living options as sophomores and juniors. However, not all dorms will be the same, some have 2-3 girls/or boys in one large room, while others offer private bedrooms.
If you apply early, you may get the chance to get a single dorm where you do not have to share with a roommate, however you can be guaranteed a single occupant room if you have a need that has been authenticated by a doctor and/or parent and guardian.
“Well from what I know [about dorms], you’re sharing a room with a person you don’t know … so you just gotta hope for the best for y’all to get along, ” Paz said.
Castillo on the other hand can see the ups as well as the downside of living in a community space or in a apartment space. “For me, if I stay in a dorm it’s kind of expensive, and I can’t even afford it. So I guess my way is to get an apartment somewhere not close [to the school], but like kind of like a little far and like I know it’ll be hard but it’s a challenge you know?” Castillo said.
These are what your typical dorm room will look like
According to collegeview.com, dorms are an important part in college life, especially if the university or college you’re planning on going to is across the country.
“It’s natural for some homesickness to accompany your first two or three weeks of adjusting to college dorm life. You’re in an entirely new environment,” said writer Jeff McGuire. “On one hand, there are no more curfews, no constant reminders to do your homework, no questions about where you’re going, or who you’re going to be with.”
With apartments on the other hand, it is slightly different situation. Apartments provide more privacy space and less rules all together than living in a dorm or even in your own home.
With either choice, it takes a lot of responsibility and independence. It all really depends on your own personality and what you believe better suits your lifestyle.
