6 Interesting Facts I Bet You Never Knew About Living In a Dorm

One of the more highly anticipated aspects of college life for most students who are about to enter college is living in a dorm. In fact, many college graduates find that their experiences when living in a dorm were some of the best moments of their lives. However, there’s also a possibility that you won’t love living in a dorm, which is why it’s important that you know what dorm life is like before you begin your college experience.

You Must Meet Deadlines

If you want to live in a dorm, the most important thing to remember is that you will need to meet deadlines to get a room for your first semester. At public colleges and universities, around 40 percent of all students live in a dorm that’s located on campus, which means that it may be difficult to get a room on time. Keep in mind that the deadline for applying for on-campus housing differs depending on the specific college.

Most universities place the application deadline for the fall semester at some point in June, which gives you ample amounts of time to fill out and submit your application. In the event that you miss the deadline, your options for housing will be very limited or entirely nonexistent.

Living In a Dorm Is Loud

Many prospective college students don’t realize how loud dorm rooms can be. There are invariably going to be many college students nearby who don’t care about being loud, which means that you may find it difficult to get to sleep some nights. If you want to study in peace, make sure that you have a pair of earplugs with you. Consider purchasing some headphones so that you can listen to relaxing music while you study. If you aren’t prepared for the loudness that comes with dorm life, it may take some time for you to adjust to the changes.

Living In a Dorm Can Be Expensive

Living in a dorm can be very expensive and may not be in your budget. Keep in mind that you will also need to pay for textbooks as well as a wide range of additional costs that come with going to college. The average cost of living in a dorm is just under $9,000 per year at a public college or university and just over $10,000 per year at a private college or university.

Be Courteous With Your Roommates for the Best Experience

If you don’t like confrontation and want your college life to be as stress-free as possible, it’s highly recommended that you’re courteous with your roommates, which means that you should be quiet when your roommates are sleeping or studying.

You Don’t Always Have Control Over Who Your Roommate Will Be

While some universities allow students to have a choice when getting a roommate, other colleges will match roommates based on their preferences or similar factors. While you may be paired with a decent roommate, you should prepare yourself for the possibility that you won’t get along with the students who become your roommates for the year.

Dorm Living Can Help You Save Money

While dorm living is expensive when compared to staying at your parent’s house, it can help you save money if you had intended to live in an apartment. At an apartment, you would be required to pay for internet service, utilities, furniture, and commuting, which aren’t necessary expenses when living in a dorm.

Now that you know more about dorm life and the kind of experience it provides, you should have a better understanding of what to expect. For many students, being away from home for the first time is a highly positive aspect of living in a dorm, which can help mitigate some of the issues that come with having a bad roommate or not being able to sleep as well as you did at home. If you believe that dorm life is for you, make sure that you meet the deadlines mentioned previously if you want to find housing in time for the next semester.