Do you dorm for college???

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Feb 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: esun
Originally posted by: Jeff7
Originally posted by: Deeko
Jeff7...most colleges have a "library", its new I know, but usually they enforce pretty strict noise standards there....
It's out in the open, which I don't care for. I'm the sort who likes being alone, and I don't like open spaces or large rooms.
Second, the noise policy is fairly lax there.

The dorms also had "quiet hours." If you were judging with your ears, you'd never know when quiet hours were. The clock was the only indicator.


So, OP can decide. I put out my opinion - if you like quiet, if you like time alone on a regular basis, the dorms might not be for you. If you like partying and being loud, indulge.

Yeah, the real problem occurs when you have a midterm or final at 9AM in the morning and you're trying to sleep, but your neighbor is blasting music at 1AM and you're going nuts trying not to fail your test. Earplugs are necessary. That, or be ready to yell at some people when necessary. The number one thing I've noticed about (typical) college students is a complete lack of concern for others.

Usually it's not a problem. People will keep it down past 1am though. Those are like very rare circumstances. What usually is more of an issue is like 9pm blasting of music when you're trying to cram for that MT.
 

Killerme33

Senior member
Jan 17, 2006
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I'm in my first semester at college and living in the dorm. I can't think of the last night I went to bed before 2am. There are always people in my room/suitemates' room. It's fun, but it gets annoying when you have to wake up for a midterm/exam.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
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I lived in dorms all 4 years out of convenience. I highly recommend least the first year.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
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It's definitely and experience you don't want to miss. I'm currently in a suite for my freshman year and it's pretty good. I've met a lot of people in my building and through my roommates. Next year I'm moving off-campus to North or South Philly to save some money, but I'll still have my friends.
 

blinky8225

Senior member
Nov 23, 2004
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I'm a current freshman. I'm required to live on campus for 3 years, which is really expensive. So far, it's been a great experience, though. Because it's pretty much random who's in the same dorm as you, you'll meet some of the most interesting people. It is loud and unsanitary at times, but it's a lot of fun.
 

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
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Choosing to live in a smelly hall with loud people everywhere is not what I would consider a mandatory part of the college experience. I lived in the dorm for a while but hated every minute I was there. The rest of my school I had my own house and was much happier. I was only a few minutes from school but I could disconnect from the "college experience" when I needed. If dorm living was mandatory at a school I definitely would not even apply. Most of the people I know now steer clear of dorms. I guess it is nice for the wall flower types who can't make friends on their own. All of my good friends in college were students but I met them outside of college and never had any classes with them.
 

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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I'm glad I never had to live in the dorms. I transferred after one year so wasn't required to live in the dorms. The several times I've been there... it sucked. Loud and annoying kids doing stupid shit, crappy bathroom situation, kids playing WoW and CS:S and blasting crap music. No thanks. Of course, sometimes you get neighbors in your off-campus apartment building who absolutely need to start playing loud ass bass at about 11pm until 2am or later. Real bright people there too... must have just moved out of the dorms but think they are still in them.

Ear plugs are friggin' awesome for me, living in an apartment or house, so they'd be essential for a dorm. But at least living with housemates, if you are going to bed early one night due to an early exam, you can just ask them to keep it down and it's fine.

Off campus is a bit cheaper here too. Downsides are distance from the campus, more responsibilities like paying rent and bills, keeping apartment or house clean, cooking for yourself, and such. I don't think I missed out on some all so great experience by living off campus. I've met tons of people just around school, and through them I've met many more. I was into going to parties and stuff my first two years, but since then I really don't care. I go to the bar with friends occasionally, and that's about it. I'm too damn lazy... I'm content just having a few beers and playing PC games or sitting at a friends place.
 

mrSHEiK124

Lifer
Mar 6, 2004
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Living about 3 miles off campus with one of my HS friends who's a sophomore, I'm a freshman, it kicks ass. We've got a huge place, neither of us drink so it's relatively chill.
The fucktards that live underneath us love to blast random shitty music at 2-3 AM in the morning, I have 8 AM classes. The cops were called; I can now wake up for said 8 AM classes without feeling like I only had one hour of sleep.
Only reason we didn't get apartments closer to campus is that area is extremely ghetto, all the apartment complexes are really old, they're just about the same price; did I mention they were ghetto?
 

LtPage1

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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Basically everyone I hang out with (I'm a third year, off-campus for the first time, UCSC student) I met freshman year in the dorms. Do it.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
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i personally prefer off campus housing. generally lower COL, no crazy university rules. the downside is that you dont have neighbors like you do in the dorms. it's really a matter of what you want. i'm perfectly happy with my roommates (met them all freshman year) :)

edit for clarity: i'm living in a house off campus. only stayed in dorms for 1st year. in 3rd year now.
 

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
6,871
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I graduate in May and I've lived on campus the whole time. Wouldn't have had it any other way. Of course, my dorm is fairly new and quite nice, and I've got a great bunch of roommates, so I guess your mileage may vary.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
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tbqhwy.com
we had to all but senior year, and then senior only about 50% of the seniors got approved for offcampus houseing

underclassmen could live in Green houses or special intrest houses like the Jewish hourse or the treehouse
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
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I never did the dorms and wish I spent at least one year in them.

There is a lot of stuff that only happens in these kinds of arrangements. Everytime I visited friends in the dorms something fun/crazy happened.

Space sucks, but that's only for a blip on your life's timeline for the experience.

If you don't want fun and just want to fly through college (a waste IMHO) get your own apartment and don't go out.
 

soydios

Platinum Member
Mar 12, 2006
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You're required to for your first three years at my college, but most people live on-campus all four years (college-run apartments for senior year).

I like it. Requiring all students to live on-campus keeps them involved in the college.
 

pyonir

Lifer
Dec 18, 2001
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Yep i did, my first two years. Had a blast. My best friends are people i met in the dorms my freshman year. Lived with them off campus my next two years and it was fun too. I'm glad i did the dorms...and then lived off campus. The incidents with music and shenanigans really were nothing compared to the rest of the experience. I don't even remember the bad crap 10 years later...but i certainly remember the good times.
 

secretanchitman

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
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do it. im stuck at home living with my parents (although saving money and getting free food and having access to the car aint bad)...i so wish i was at the dorms so i could make tons of new friends. sometimes, it sucks to commute.
 

sthaznpride17

Senior member
Jul 31, 2005
252
0
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I am a Freshman at the U of Washington living at the dorms, and its an absolute blast. Sure its somewhat smelly, sometimes loud but it is something unique. I got a great roomate too so that helps a lot. I would definitely reccomend dorms. First year anyways, im getting out of dorms after freshman or sophomore year
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
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I stayed in the dorms for college. Most people I know did for at least the first year or two and then would move out to a house rental after that. Helps to meet people, get settled into the college life, etc.