Bittersweet: How does it feel to live in a dormitory?

Now that the new academic year will start, most universities opted to go for limited face-to-face classes. This decision was made to give students hands-on learning opportunities and enable them to meet essential learning objectives. In line with this, many students, especially those who live far from the university, also opt to live in a dormitory. Consequently, problems like traffic congestion and time consumption will never rise again.

Imagine arriving home late at the night? Picturing a raucous party with friends? Or mainly envisioning events that revolve around being independent and free. Those are certainly some of the scenarios that come to our minds when we think about living in a dorm. And yes, maybe some of these are partially true; however, some were just a myth.

College life creates a series of exciting and chaotic times, especially if you live in a dorm. Therefore, I will give you some information regarding dorm life that you may not have considered before.

You’ll get Home Sick.

As a person who grew up living in our family home, moving into a dormitory was challenging. It changes most aspects of how I live, especially this time when I live without my parents beside me. 

On my first stay at the dormitory, I instantly felt homesick. Even among my roommates who believe they would not experience homesickness, it nonetheless comes up very frequently and fast. And I think that’s pretty normal. Additionally, it’s normal to miss our parents, siblings, and relatives. Therefore, make sure to always recognize that feeling—because it’s normal and valid. 

You have no right to get sick.

Moving into a dormitory, I made a promise to myself that I would not catch any sickness. This is because I have no one on my side to take care of me. And living half of our age in our family home, our parents take care of us whenever we get ill. However, we do not have our parents in the dormitory. Therefore, this is exactly not the same as we used to before. 

So, try to live healthily as much as possible to prevent catching an illness. Eat the right foods and make sure to have enough rest. Moreover, it is beneficial to create a friend and bond among your roommates. They are the people who will stick around with you most of the time as counterparts of your family. Moreover, they also become your companion to anything—including whenever you get sick. 

You will do all things alone. 

 

Back in our family home, all the things–including the household chores–are shared among family members. For instance, you and your sister were doing the laundry to minimize the workload. Consequently, the whole thing became organized and everyone worked harmoniously. 

However, the same occurrences might not happen upon living in the dormitory. Most of the time, you will be doing all these things alone. For example, you will probably do your laundry alone. Additionally, you will cook food alone. Moreover, you in all probability will clean your personal area. Therefore, you in all likelihood will do these things all by yourself.

These things depict one of the essences of living in the dormitory–being independent. However, this sometimes does not occur in our dormitory. Some create proper organization and communication among their roommates. Here, they acted like a real family where they also do all things harmoniously. Therefore, I urge you to create proper communication and role establishment among your future roommates. 

Living with restrictions.

Many students hold to the popular belief that you can do boundless things upon living in the dormitory. They believed that you can really achieve your independence and freedom in dorms. Well, sometimes and somewhere, this is real. However, most of the dormitories hold rules and restrictions. Therefore, the students still live with limitations. 

One example of restrictions is a curfew. Employing this, some dormitories set a particular time in which students must be in their respective units at night. Moreover, the restrictions also revolve around rules for noise, visiting hours, pets, and a lot more. 

It can be very similar to living on your own for the first time in your dorm life. You get to do many things freely and independently. However, keep in mind that you share your room with a lot of other people. Additionally, be sure to adhere to the dorm’s policy. 

Sanitation appears at risk.

Your dorm life will not mainly revolve only on happiness, convenience, or even glitz and glamor. Thus, dorm life may be unpleasant. Imagine the fact that you are surrounded by a large number of people and all of their bacteria. Additionally, there might be clothes scattered on the floor or even used utensils at the sink. Therefore, this makes the dorm an ideal setting for all kinds of viruses and germs.

Fortunately, the majority of common colds and other minor diseases may be treated by your body on its own. However, always exercise caution and prevention. Moreover, you should still abide by the rules you learned in your home and during elementary school. This includes proper hygiene, sanitation, and many more. 

Lastly, I urge you to bring a first aid kit that includes alcohol, hand sanitizer, antibiotic cream, and medicines. This will help you to fight sickness and prevent bacteria and germs. 

Above all, if you know what to anticipate beforehand, you can make these experiences easier. Everyone who has ever lived in a dormitory admits that it was difficult, but overall, it was a positive experience. Therefore, keep in mind and take into account any factor that could have an impact on your present decision.

Surely, you will mature through living in the dormitory. Your life will never be the same again because of the countless new opportunities, and experiences. Therefore, enjoy the adjustments you’re going through, and learn happily in your new dorm.