Dorm Life: Expectations vs. Reality

Living the college dorm life triggers lots of positive emotions, thoughts, and feelings. I’m here to tell you not to get your hopes up. Don’t get me wrong, college dorm life is a bucket of fun, but keep these expectations (and their realities) in mind.

Expectation: Waking up early for class

Reality:

Everyone gets excited on the first day of class: the outfit is already picked out and ironed, book bag is packed, and alarms are set early for the next day. That first day may go great! Then, a month later, the reality is that you’ll be hitting the snooze button about 15 times. You’ll be used to your schedule but stayed up too late the night before so you can’t get up early. You didn’t pick out clothes the night before, so you just throw anything on. It happens.

Expectation: You’ll be friends with everyone

Reality:

College is a very exciting time, especially if you are a freshman. New environment, roommates, and new people. But it's still like the regular world. Some people won’t like you, for many irrelevant reasons. There will be differences, and arguments, and pettiness. You’d think there would be a high level of maturity, but the reality is that there isn’t. Just be sure to stay true to who you are and stay focused.

Expectation: You’ll keep up with all of your classes and assignments

Reality:

In the beginning, you may think you’ll be able to keep up with all of your classes and assignments. But by the time you reach sophomore and junior year, you will really feel the pressure of college. In reality, school is hard and sometimes very overwhelming. Prepare for those long nights of studying.

Expectation: Beautiful dorms

Reality:

A lot of people think their dorm room is going to be the spot where everyone wants to be. It will have lights strung up, a couch, chairs, posters, etc. No. Dorms are very small spaces with one bed and one closet.  Also, just know for sure that no matter what your dorm looks like, it will get messy, smelly, and you will eventually see a bug somewhere.

Expectation: You’ll meet a mature guy/girl

Reality:

This is where movies and television shows get our hopes up, because in reality, meeting a “mature” person to date is unlikely. Of course as a freshman, we’re young, it’s a new place, and we want to have fun.

Fine. But by the time we’re juniors and seniors and some people still don’t have their act together, something is not right. Don’t get stuck on one person for too long. There’s a whole world out there.

Expectation: Healthy eating

Reality:

I’m sure we have all heard of the “Freshman 15.” It’s true. For me, it was the Freshman 5, but it still made a difference. College is like a giant buffet. Except the reality is that the cafeteria serves the same food every week and you’ll still end up eating the cup of noodles you have stored in your dorm.

Expectation: You'll rarely be in your dorm room

Reality:

You may think you’ll be out all the time, hanging with your friends, and having fun. But in reality, your dorm room will be like your best friend. This is true especially when you have long and tiring days, and all you want to do is lay in your bed until you graduate.

Don’t let these realities seem too bad. Living in a college dorm is a lot of fun. You get to be away from home and really become a responsible adult. So much fun.