4 Reasons Not To Dorm

Dorm life at college can be a brilliant and exciting experience. There is ample opportunity to make friends, there are no parents to pester you, and above all else, you will get a chance at an entirely new reputation with your new peers. This, however, is if everything goes right. This article will discuss four negatives of dorm life that seldom get exposure.

1. Dorming is expensive.

While dorming is a way to finally experience life out on your own, it comes at a very steep price. Room and board averages at around $9,000 per year for state schools and roughly $10,000 per year at private schools. When broken down this is the equivalent to roughly $900-$1,000 a month for rent not including interest on loans which most college residents take out in order to obtain their dormitories.

Put into perspective, you and your roommate will be paying around $2,000 a month for a small room with terrible wifi, horrid air conditioning, and barely enough room to fit all of your stuff. Depending on the area, with the same $2,000 a month one could get an entire two bedroom apartment to themselves minus utilities and other expenses. Put simply, getting your own place whether it be an apartment, house, or studio will most likely be cheaper than a dorm and will definitely be bigger and more comfortable.

2. You may not like your roommate.

While some roommates instantly click and become lifelong friends, many times you will be paired with someone you just are not compatible with. Your lifestyles and habits may be different causing initial friction that usually doesn’t get better. Then of course there is always the possibility that your new co-inhabitant is a thief who steals things more valuable than your last hot pocket.

Perhaps one of the worst scenarios is that your roommate is a repulsive, slovenly individual who cares neither for their own appearance and health nor your exposure to their distasteful hygiene. Just imagine waking up to the smell of putrid socks and week old pizza. If you lack a basic imagination, take my word for it … it isn’t pleasant, which brings us to our next point.

3. Dorm buildings are dirty places.

When you move into your dorm, you will start to realize that not everyone has the same hygiene standards as you. You might realize that the bathrooms are always soiled with human waste in ways you thought not possible for young adults. You then might start to realize that the showers always seem to have a dirty almost never-been-washed type of look to them, a problem you yourself will probably not try to fix.

Pests are always a possibility ranging from waterbugs (horrendous giant cockroach looking insects) to regular roaches to mice and many other forms of domicile loving creatures. Someone has to be hired to clean all of this right? Yes there are people who clean the dorms on a weekday basis but the sad inconvenient truth is that they just can’t keep up with the mess.

4. There are many restrictions.

While living in dorms you are expected to adhere to your university’s resident rules. Quiet hours are universal and mostly start at 11 p.m. unless finals are taking place in which case they are 24/7 at certain universities. Guest rules range from no guests allowed, to guests being signed in, to just letting guests walk in with their hosts. Each university is different in this aspect so check your school or intended school’s policies.

If you are hoping to have a “College Experience” that may or may not include alcohol, and a special plant many people frequently set on fire for recreation, then get ready for trouble. The dorms are treacherous pits of danger when it comes to these things. Resident Assistants, or RA’s for short, usually do not care for your future and will not hesitate to write you up. Punishments range from probation, to expulsion to even arrest depending on the college and charge. Don’t do anything stupid and keep it out of the dorms!

There you have it, four good reasons to at least consider not moving into a college dorm. I’m not suggesting all dorm experiences are bad, it’s just rational to weigh out the pros and cons of the situation. Don’t rush into getting a loan for a dorm just because you think it’s going to be like the movies where students run free and have immense amounts of young adult fun. Dorm life isn’t for everyone and if any of these points would bother you, then just give dorm life a second thought before making your final decision.