My Experience
I was very worried about how I was going to adjust to campus life. I actually skipped a year to make sure that I could make a smooth transition. I first had to decide where I wanted to live; I knew I wanted air conditioning and also my own room. I think that you have to know yourself to be able to make the best decision on where you will be staying for the school year. I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to live with another person; I am a very private person and I know that having a roommate would only make the anxiety of moving in for me worse. I was offered a room in Hillcrest, and I have to say it is a perfect fit. It has air conditioning and it is a single-sized room (they call them baby singles). It is a room that is small, too small to have two people live in it, so I decided to take it since it was the cheapest room. I would have to tell you to bring new stuff into the room, but also bring stuff that you had in your room at home. I know that I feel better when I look around my dorm room and see the same things that have been in my room since I can remember. Also, decorate, make your room feel as comfortable as possible, if you don’t like being in your room, chances are the whole campus life process isn’t going to work very well.
Being away from your parents can be hard. One thing that freshman need to learn is that this is a natural part in life. You have to leave the nest, and moving into a dorm can be a great learning experience. Also I moved into a dormitory that had community-style bathrooms, and let me tell you it is not all that bad. I had dreams that it would be this huge room with this shower room that is open and everyone can see you while you take a shower. It isn’t like that – there are two shower stalls that are private, and you will be surprised that not everyone is going to take a shower at the same time. The advice I am going to give is this: buy and wear a robe, it is your best friend when you have to take a shower, that way you don’t have to get dressed in the tiny stalls. Also, wear flip flops, even though the people who clean the showers do a great job, you still want to be careful and wear flip flops because sometimes you can get foot fungus.
Don’t be afraid to get to know your neighbors, it isn’t cool to be the one that stays in her room and doesn’t speak to anyone, it can get lonely. I am a very shy person and I didn’t know how to speak to new people, but my hallmates solved that problem when two of the girls knocked on my door and started to talk to me. Then all the rest of the girls in my hall just sat down on my floor and we had this long conversation, just getting to know each other. We have done things for each other’s birthdays (I got a surprise mini b-day party) and we help each other on homework. Keeping your door open when you can is the best way to be approachable – when someone sees an open door they are more inclined to just come in and talk to you.
