Dorm Life

[sub-zer0]

I had two dorm-mates last year, and it was my first year of college, I can really understand how you feel because I feel like my room is kind of a safe haven where you can do whatever you want, I got along with both of my dorm mates really well, I talked to them often and it was really fun when we did that, but there is less freedom and more interference, like you can't watch movies or listen to music when someone else is in the room( we all used headphones, but having headphones on for a long time can be annoying), and pray that your dorm-mates  are not in a relationship..... One of mine had a gf and it was so damn annoying...sometimes they would stay up late at night watching youtube vidoes...without the fucking headphones on...you can't really share headphones, and buds don't work that well since its one ear, sometimes they would have fights early in the morning....other times I would walk in, and it's totally dark ,looks at clock, 3 pm....da fuq? oh..its my dorm-mate and his gf sleeping....trust me, this was really annoying...and this was only half the time her being in our room and not him being in her room...they lived on the same floor. They were both nice people that were laid back, we never gotten into fights, not even arguments, we got along really well. It can be annoying sometimes because having other people in the dorm did affect my ability to concentrate and study somewhat, because when they are playing on the xbox and you have to study, its kinda hard..... That is all I have to say, and oh, one last thing...Freshman are the bottom of the food chain, you don't get what you want...so sucks , but everyone of us has to take it once

[arakura]

My best advice would be not to worry that much. Me and my roommate shared a 179 sq ft dorm room without really interacting much. Invest in a lofted bed and some noise reducing headphones. People will leave you alone if you really want to be left alone. Being alone might not happen as often as you want it to. You'll get used to it. You'll learn to appreciate the time you do have alone more. Or maybe you'll enjoy the people.

Anyway, just flow with it. There's no use in worrying. Life happens.

[Fred the Barber]

My dorm experiences. Keep in mind, I am definitely an introvert:

- first year, quad. two shared bedrooms and a common room. I landed cool but fairly quiet roommates (and was the same myself). We chatted a bit, but mostly did our own things. Still, it was social enough to keep things interesting, and we got along just fine.

- second year, I got a single. I was bored out of my mind all the time because I didn't get enough social contact.

- third year, five-person suite where I had my own bedroom (back with several of my first-year roommates). This was a pretty sweet setup, but by this time I was spending a lot of my time outside the dorm with other friends, so the dorm situation didn't matter much either way.

- fourth year, a quad with three guys who were all good friends at the start of the year. We were all much better friends at the end of the year. This was, in all likelihood, the best year of my life so far. I still love those guys.

 

In my opinion, the ideal situation is actually more roommates, not fewer. In a double, you're going to have a real risk of having situations get out of control because there are just two people to argue back and forth about tiny little things. A triple is probably going to make it easier for everyone to keep a cool head.

 

The only bad rooming situations I heard about in college were doubles, and the only bad experience for me was a single (oddly enough). More roommates, better!

[Zalor]

My dorm experiences. Keep in mind, I am definitely an introvert:

- first year, quad. two shared bedrooms and a common room. I landed cool but fairly quiet roommates (and was the same myself). We chatted a bit, but mostly did our own things. Still, it was social enough to keep things interesting, and we got along just fine.

- second year, I got a single. I was bored out of my mind all the time because I didn't get enough social contact.

- third year, five-person suite where I had my own bedroom (back with several of my first-year roommates). This was a pretty sweet setup, but by this time I was spending a lot of my time outside the dorm with other friends, so the dorm situation didn't matter much either way.

- fourth year, a quad with three guys who were all good friends at the start of the year. We were all much better friends at the end of the year. This was, in all likelihood, the best year of my life so far. I still love those guys.

 

In my opinion, the ideal situation is actually more roommates, not fewer. In a double, you're going to have a real risk of having situations get out of control because there are just two people to argue back and forth about tiny little things. A triple is probably going to make it easier for everyone to keep a cool head.

 

The only bad rooming situations I heard about in college were doubles, and the only bad experience for me was a single (oddly enough). More roommates, better!

 

Thanks for this.

 

After speaking a bit with one of the people I will be dorming with, he seems like a cool guy and I'm far less anxious then I was before. The other guy (the third person) probably doesn't check his Email often as neither me or the guy I've been speaking to manged to contact him. But I'm actually looking forward to the situation now.  

[arakura]

That's good to hear, I hope you enjoy it, man.

[yvetox]

you know,what i have learned-if you will communicate with others while having good thoughs about them,they will basically answer you with kindness also)So do not let yourself thinking negatively about anyone,because people are not stupid,they will feel it,and answer you in the same way.

 

There are will be a lot of situations,where you will be responsible for fault of some sort(mostly because you dont have experience of living on your own),so you need not to guard against critics others will offer,but accept it.And be tolerant to others faults.Do not show negative emotions to your roommates,do not tell them any secrets,if they are not your friends.Find guys who 2 or 3 years older and ask them how to settle in the dorm so that this time will leave good aftertaste to you.Keep good realtionships with dorm manager,she is the one who will define your room settlement and fate in case of troublesome situations(like some sort of forcemajor,or you can be enrolled in a brawl,or someone will try to do some pranks to you-she will save your ass).

 

Also-BEWARE OF THE ROACHES...OH SHI

[rainsismyfav]

I enjoyed it a lot when I got accidentally ended up on a single. I could do my nerdy stuff without restrictions and as late as I want it to.

 

Though, you can really experience that at home or whenever you're alone. The things you can't replace are the social experiences you have with others.

[Cyrillej1]

Every dorm experience I've had was kinda bad.  Mostly because I just kept to myself, seemed anti-social, and so my roommates probably didn't like me.  The first time I lived with another stranger, she left a semester later, and I had the room all to myself which I really enjoyed, lol.  Having me as a roommate is almost like living with a ghost, probably. 

[Fred the Barber]

One piece of advice on sharing hobbies, which is a lot in line with what yvetox is saying: relationships are a two-way street, and you're going to be pretty much stuck with those roommates, so you should try to make those relationships good. You should totally tell your roommate (in a reasonable, calm manner) that you play VNs. Don't go on about it too long or too passionately, unless they are really into it, too, but yeah, you should talk about it.

 

And also importantly, you should definitely let your roommate talk to you about their love for Norwegian symphonic black metal bands that write songs about drinking mead and slaying trolls or (insert other strange hobby/taste here), and you should do your very best to actually be engaged and interested. Because just like you have something you're interested in and want to talk about, so do they.

 

Also, play together. Anything. Video games, sports, chess, board games, it really doesn't matter what. Find some game you all enjoy and play it, at least once or twice. It's the best way to bond, and it's also a great way to learn about people.