Living in a college dormitory is a unique, once in a lifetime experience. While some students certainly make themselves miserable by focusing on the negatives such as limited living space, little privacy and community bathrooms, having the right mindset can make your stay in the dorm one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life. Here we provide tips for making the most of your time living in the dorm:
-Establish and maintain open communication with your roommate. Sharing an already small living space with a roommate may be the biggest challenge in dorm living. Whether you are living with a friend or have just met your roommate for the first time, it will behoove you to discuss important issues up front. Some examples may be the time each of you goes to bed and gets up, whether you are comfortable sharing food or clothes, and your perspectives on visitors. Be sure to respect your roommate. Remember that school is the reason you are there in the first place, and do not interfere with your roommate's ability to sleep and study. While mature, effective communication skills may take some time to learn, they will benefit you in countless situations in the future.
-Be sociable. Building friendships is perhaps the most beneficial, long-lasting perk of dorm life. Living in a dorm is probably the only time in your life that you will live so closely to so many people your age who are going through the same life experiences as you are. You never know when the next person you meet is going to end up a lifetime friend, so keep an open mind and do not hesitate to say hello to your neighbors in the elevator.
-Keep your eye on the prize. At times, living in a dormitory surrounded by other students your age can be a little too much fun. Remember that if you want to graduate college, academic commitments come first, and socializing comes second. One thing for certain when you live in a dorm is that there will always be something going on, and it can be tempting to participate in every social event and let academics fall by the wayside. Many college freshmen only make it through their first year for this very reason, so make friends, but study first.
-Keep a sense of perspective. Try not to dwell on the minor inconveniences that inevitably come with dorm life. Sure, you have to wear flip flops in the shower and share a bathroom, and your furniture only consists of a bed and a desk. But remember, you are going to college so that you are able to create the career and life you want for yourself in the future, something no one has ever achieved without making sacrifices. There is a time in life for everything. You have plenty of time to live alone in a nice apartment or house, have a full set of furniture and a luxurious bathroom. But to get there, you have to start somewhere, and the convenience and cost-effectiveness of dorm life is truly a great place to start.
| About the Author: Evelyn Saunders, a retired teacher, is the editor for student-loans.net, a provider of private student loans and information on student loans and consolidation. For more information, please visit http://www.student-loans.net |
No comments:
Post a Comment