[Soothing Melodies]

i wonder what is the benefits of living in a dorm? im not a college student yet but ive been thinking a lot about it. because im thinking i want to stay at home and go back to school, is that a bad thing? share your opinions! ^__^

[hyerim07]

positive:
1. social - you get to meet friends, make friends, do crazy things that make freshman year memorable.
2. you get to learn how to take care of yourself without mommy or daddy at your side.
3. close proximity to school so if you need to go study at 2AM for an exam, you can go to the library and do it.
4. more freedom

negative:
1. costs

If you're close to the school, you can always go back on the weekends. All in all, I think dorming SHOULD be part of your college experience, even if it's just for 1 semester.

[ronmexico]

One major advantage is that it is far and away the best way to meet people at your school.

[YellohSwtTart]

if freedom is a big concern on your part, you should definitely dorm-

and im not even just talking about partying kind of freedom- i also mean freedom to study until 2 without having parents go "why didnt you study earlier?!" or the freedom to eat dinner whenever you have time.

i definitely would recommend everyone to dorm their first year- i dont know anyone who regrets dorming, although i know plenty who regret NOT dorming.

[HoO8MyRiCe]

If you go to an outofstate college, dorming might not be the best depending on how you look at it. There's more chance of socializing with people you get to know at a dormitory but if you live in an apartment outside of the uni, theres more chance you can get instate tuition.

[sphynkter]

the college i'm planning to go to requires that freshman live on campus this kinda stinks since i really like being with my family and it's within distance to commute home besides it's so expensive to dorm.

[YellohSwtTart]

the college i'm planning to go to requires that freshman live on campus this kinda stinks since i really like being with my family and it's within distance to commute home besides it's so expensive to dorm.

which college?

[Eddie]

WOOOOOOO PUBLIC BATHROOMS

[ronmexico]

If you go to an outofstate college, dorming might not be the best depending on how you look at it. There's more chance of socializing with people you get to know at a dormitory but if you live in an apartment outside of the uni, theres more chance you can get instate tuition.

If you've always lived with your parents, suddenly having to be on your own while you're also adjusting to college and life in a new state is going to be pretty tough. Also, you're not going to get instate tutition unless you move there for something like a year (I'm not totally sure what the standards are for each state) before you enroll to establish residency.

[iceberri]

I don't even know where or how to start describing how amazing dorming can be. If you *know* that dorming is not for you, then that's your prerogative. But otherwise, from those who have dormed before, I think they'll agree with me on this one: College life centers around the dorm.

Now I'm not referring to partying or being generally "social" because surely, you can make friends in clubs and activities. That's -- I'm sorry to say it, haha -- high school. I'm talking about the little things here that make a college experience worthwhile. Every person's experience will be unique, but I'll just list off a couple of my own:

• You discover incredible things about people who struck you as entirely ordinary before. A random conversation with your suitemate can turn into 4 hours of conversation at 4 in the morning and the best part is: you're not even sleepy! Friendships can progress much more quickly because you're living with these people. They are within reach 24/7 a day.
• There is constantly something to do on campus. If you're not busy with work, there are plays, shows, performances -- people to see, things to do! I have never been so busy in my life, but I have never been happier either. Plus, subsidized operas/broadway shows/ballets/ball games are incredible. I think you'll be hardpressed to find another place where you pay $25 to go to the NYMet to see an opera -- and that includes transportation! I suppose this has limited applicability depending on where you go, but I'm sure opportunities are still abound.
• Living on campus is a learning experience (the most enjoyable one you'll have, frankly) you won't be able to experience again in the working world
• Everything in the world is at your fingertips -- er, within walking distance I suppose.
• You become culturally aware. Because you eat, live, and breathe the same air as these people, you will unconsciously learn about their habits and the nuances of their culture. I know *so* much about Kosher food now.

And last, but not least:
- The ease to roll out of bed and stumble to class is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Wow, I realize this entry is getting quite long. Let me (briefly) address Stephen's "negatives" for dorming.

1. costs //This is undeniable but it's possible to get financial aid if you need it. It's worth it though, I assure you.
2. No privacy //You can always find a nook in the library if you need to study (much more effective than home, I find) or request a single.
3. Rules and regulations of dorms. //What rules and regulations would there be that your parents wouldn't personally prohibit anyway? You learn to deal with few stupid fire safety rules, but other than that, Residential Advisors don't breathe down your back for drinking. There is a surprising amount of freedom in the college dormitory. As long as you don't commit arson, cause general destruction, or smoke pot, you're pretty much home free.
4. Living with a possible cleptomaniac, pervert, or ass //Housing deals pretty well pairing up roommates. Although they make it difficult, you can always cite a reason for switching rooms (cleptomaniac, pervert, or ass would fall under valid reasons.) Besides, for someone who has never dormed, you seem particularly adverse to the idea of dorming without any evidence to back it up.
5. Away from family (might be a positive for some) // See below.
6. Sometimes you're stranded on a campus that you don't particularlly like or that isn't particularlly interesting. // Why are you there then???

So yes, perhaps you run the risk of getting stuck with a roommate you can't stand... one of the biggest things you learn in college is how to compromise with people who aren't your siblings anyways. And housing seems to be doing a better and better job pairing up people. I live in a suite of 7 and I love every single one of my suitemates! I have only heard of a few instances where roommates couldn't stand one another and had to switch rooms -- and I think that was because of an inherent character flaw with the person I was talking to anyway.

As for missing your parents... if you're considering commuting, your parents should live close enough that you can visit them when you want. Plus, there's this strange phenomenon that makes parents more amenable when they can only see you for a limited time each week...

[iceberri]

@ Stephen...

Well, in everything that I've said, I guess I made the assumption that you're going to a college that you'll LIKE -- so since the vast majority of colleges do not have a curfew at 11 PM and you don't seem to prefer an early curfew anyway -- why bring it up? And when I asked, "Why are you there then?" it wasn't to imply that college is all about fun and games. I certainly know that wholeheartedly since everyone in my school knows the meaning of excelling -- unfortunately for me. >_> It's just that the reason seemed ridiculous because unlike high school, you choose your college. If you didn't like the campus and felt that it would detract significantly from the appeal of the school, then you have the choice to go to another one! As much as you may pander on about learning, there are an unlimited number of colleges out there for you to find the right one academically and otherwise (socially, campus-ly, whatever...).

The point of my response to your negativity wasn't to criticize you or force you to rethink dorming; it was to give the topic starter a more optimistic perspective of college life. After all, she did ask about the benefits of dorming, didn't she? It seemed to me like you shot down hyerim's post from a personal standpoint. And perhaps if you went through a horrible experience dorming yourself -- that would make much more sense -- but you read stories. In any case, people only document their extreme experiences and the ones that are read the most are the horror cases. That would make sense right? Who wants to read about happy-go-lucky roommates who have found within each other, a lifelong friendship? They want to read about the roommate who has sex in his bed when he's away; the roommate who smokes and drinks; the rooommate who's antisocial and depressive and suicidal. Anyhoo, just keep that in mind the next time you hear someone tell you a story, "a friend of a friend's roommate..." and consider the majority of people whose story has not been told in the process.

And nope, the family thing wasn't directed at you. None of it really was directed at you. I was rebutting your reasons for not dorming to Soothing Melodies.

Wow. I got off-tangent. I guess I've been at a bit of a writer's block all day and the words decided to manifest itself onto soompi instead, lol.

[mistapooh]

I've been paying for everything myself since my parents aren't well off. The thing that scares me most about dorming is..........food. I'm force to have 8,10, or 12 meals a-week-plan. I don't have much money in savings and I'm a huge health nut....sodium in ramen =(.

[hyerim07]

As for missing your parents... if you're considering commuting, your parents should live close enough that you can visit them when you want. Plus, there's this strange phenomenon that makes parents more amenable when they can only see you for a limited time each week...

HAHA, I found this to be quite true...

[iceberri]

I've been paying for everything myself since my parents aren't well off. The thing that scares me most about dorming is..........food. I'm force to have 8,10, or 12 meals a-week-plan. I don't have much money in savings and I'm a huge health nut....sodium in ramen =(.

I would say for most college students, a max of 14 meals a week is sufficient for a meal plan. Most people would prefer to get that extra half hour of sleep before class anyway. I'm on it and I find that buying a box of cereal or buying some granola and storing it in my dorm is more than sufficient for breakfast. If you get a fridge, you can always store deli meats, cheese, yogurt -- whatever your cravings desire. Even though that may cost some additional money, it's better than going without food or eating at a restaurant (tipping is the true enemy to college student's pockets, lol). Canned tuna fish/chicken is also a relatively cheap option since you can buy them in bulk packs and they won't go bad.

Meal plans are such a ripoff. >____> I once calculated the cost of an average meal in the dining hall because I was bored and it came down to $11 per meal -- and that includes breakfast as a meal!

[Soothing Melodies]

oohs well you see my parents dont even consider letting me dorm, and i do really want to, but it all depends on the college that i go to i guess but thank you for all your sharings ^__^ it made me think more about college and it HELPed alot