If you’re anything like me, you only anticipated freshman year dorm and room mate selection and assignment to be stressful, and expected to slide easily into your next three years. However, instead of counting sheep and counting on a new and great room, I, and many of my peers, lie awake at night tossing and turning over future living arrangements.
The Apartment
You claimed that coming to college meant you were an adult. However, come lease-signing time, you’re scrambling on where to look, who is reliable enough to sign with and how to pay. What is a security deposit, are utilities included, and do I really have to pay for wifi? Now is this time to face the facts and call home. There is no shame in asking your family and older siblings for help in understanding. This is where their so-called “life experience” comes into play. In addition, apartments close to college campuses usually have an arrangement that eases the transition and student. Talk to the landlord and your on-campus housing authority for more help.
On-Campus Housing – Round 2
At Vanderbilt, the only option is on-campus housing all four years (unless you’re a lucky senior or they decide to knock down another dorm). That being said, not all dorms are created equal and not all of them offer the same amenities. Be aware of the bathroom situation (suite or communal), whether or not there is a kitchen, and the number and distribution of occupants within a unit. There are a variety of options, but it is necessary to be informed before you sign up for a particular unit. Go to open houses and talk to upperclassmen to see if the building’s culture is one for you.
Roommates
Whether you chose your roommate or were assigned them, loved them or hated them, chances are you have to decide who, if anyone, you are going to live with next year. Will it be a sorority sister, a hallmate, your roommate again, your boyfriend (Believe it or not some schools allow this), or are you sleeping solo? Many people start freaking out about who they will room with, whether or not they will fit or if there will be drama, there is no need to get upset.
Most people, whether they liked their roommate or not as a first year, were able to co-exist. Given this knowledge, even if the roommate you find for next year isn’t ideal, it will be ok. As you get older, you spend more time engaged on campus, in town and studying, so the amount of time you room starts to become less and less. Given this fact, there is no reason to place unnecessary importance on the room situation. Sure, it may be nice to be with some of your best friends, but if they have already paired up or are wishy-washy when it comes to committing, it’s better to decide for yourself, so that you ensure you get the room you want, rather than waiting around and missing all opportunities.
A dorm can be a hang out, a home, a bonding space, but ultimately it is just the place you sleep and change. It’s up to you to establish how important you make it. Don’t take college residences too seriously, because you have your whole life to stress about real world housing.