Dorm Life.

[Radio Storm]

I want to know all about what life is like in a dorm.

[Braxton]

I don't know if this would help you, but Rob has written a very good article that addresses some of your questions in the Content Forum at: http://forums.govteen.com/showthread.php?t=285911

In general, anytime you have a communal living environment be it at college, special school, or anyplace else the reality is that you might have the possibility of dealing with unpleasant people. It is for that reason why when you notice a problem you stand up immediately and don't allow the person to walk all over you. Only until you get to know the person should you let down your guard as the bad folks always look for weaknesses they can exploit.

Basically, anytime you share a living area just keep your valuables out of sight or secured, keep an inventory of your belongings, and set ground rules from the get go so that you and your roommate are on the same page.

[hehe]

I think that description, while it has some valid points, doesn't mention some of the good things about dorm life. It's nice to live in a place with lots of people your age, including many who may be in classes or clubs with you. You get to know many of the people in your dorm pretty well. In addition, you can get to know your roommate(s) well, and share a common experience afterwards. While there is a possibility of being with someone you clash with with, most schools do something close to eHarmony-for-dorms so that you'll usually end up with someone you agree on with the basics (such as early bird/night owl, feelings on alcohol, etc). Dorm life isn't always perfect, but it's something many people find to be a positive experience.

[Persona]

I ended up late in the housing process, so last year I didn't really get any good choice on my roommates. However, the girls across the hall from me didn't know each other before and became very very close. My whole hall became really good friends, actually.

Sure, it has its drawbacks...lack of privacy probably being the biggest one I can think of, but overall I don't think it's a bad thing at all, though I much prefer living off-campus now.

[ThnksFrThMmrs]

My content article wasn't the best for dorming because I didn't feel like writing a depressing story about how horrible dorming was for me the first semester.

Basically, it's a big adjustment period. You get to know a lot of people, you make some great friends, some enemies. You have fun, you learned knew things, etc. etc. You may get the horrible roommate like I did. You may not.

[Puer Aeternus]

I'm going through that adjustment period right now. I've had better days, I'll say that much.

[Ashes]

Fortunately my dorm experience has been alright. However I don't actually share a room with my room-mate. We have different bedrooms (with doors) and we share a bathroom. He's older than me (about 21 I think) and he's pretty similar to me. We usually just do our own thing. I go through days where I don't see him (I have odd sleeping habits of late), but he's a nice guy anyway. It's luck of the draw really. Initially it is a pretty big adjustment because you have to live in such close proximity with someone who isn't family (for some people that won't be foreign, but for the majority it is).

[D3ad R4abbit5]

i love my dorm. maybe because we have the coolest people ever on one floor. but my flor s bad ass. it never gets quiet here however. even at 3 am on a friday night. basically my college experence so far as freshmen is like the song I love college by asher roth

[Vision of Glint]

You're talking to an RA here .

Dorm life can be as incredible as you make it. You'll live in an area with one or multiple roommates, most likely, and you'll be exposed to a great deal of diversity and differing opinions on life and it's issues. You'll probably have an opportunity to be involved a a variety of events put on by your fellow residents and the staff of the hall you live in.

It can really be an incredible experience, a great time for you to grow and develop yourself.

[Eretula]

It's always fun to participate in shenanigans with people in your hall.