I have been thinking a lot about my brief stay in college dorms while attending college in Milledgeville. I lived in the dorms from 2014 to 2016, and my siblings lived in dorms at their respective colleges as well. I feel as though some universal experiences come with living in a college dorm. There’s the issue of learning to get along with a randomly assigned roommate if you are not lucky enough to room with someone you already know. Even if you already know the person you are going to live with, it might be a shock to see that they don’t scrub the toilet the way you would expect them to or leave a mess on your half of the room. College and university staff quickly say that living in a college dorm provides vital life skills, such as conflict resolution and the knowledge that a parent is still doing your laundry until age 18. Young people now must learn how to do their laundry and clean. These skills can be learned whenever the young person lives independently; it doesn’t have to be in college, but rather ahead of a new graduating class and a few months before heading off to their respective institutions of higher learning. Some sage advice on surviving the college dorm experience would be helpful for those who have chosen to attend college or university. I want to preface this by saying that living at home and attending college/university is ideal, because the transition from high school to college is stressful enough. At least living at home for the first year can help alleviate some of that stress, but I digress. The following tips are for those who have chosen to live in a college dorm:
- Try to get to know your roommate before you get to campus. I met my randomly assigned roommate early, which was helpful before we moved in. If you do not pick your roommate, I recommend meeting your friend’s assigned roommate, if that’s an option, before you get to campus.
- Use the dormitory common areas. The dorm I was in had study rooms on every floor and a hangout area in the basement with two flat-screen TVs, a kitchen, a ping-pong table, and board games for residents to play. Most of the dorms on that campus also had front porches. I recommend using the common areas so you don’t spend as much time in a confined space with your roommate. It’s also a good place to hang out with friends if they’re trying to study and you still want to socialize.
- Sometimes, getting a new roommate is not a bad idea. It’s always better to resolve the conflict beforehand and get the situation fixed without having to move all your stuff, but there are some circumstances where moving dorms is a good idea. Ensure you talk to your RA or resident assistant and whoever else needs to approve the move and help you find a new room.
- Come up with a chore list. I am a big fan of chore lists, and this year, I will be turning 30. They help me stay organized and clearly define who’s responsible for what. I recommend creating a chore list for you and your roommate. I had sweet mates who shared a bathroom with me, and I recommend including them in the process if they’re open to it.
- Try to decorate together. I don’t think my roommate and I decorated our dorm room. Still, if you are artistically inclined and want to decorate your space, including the other person sharing the space in the design and decorating process would be a good idea.
- Be patient with yourself and others. Living in a small space and being away from support systems is difficult; everyone will process those challenges differently. It’s always a good idea to communicate your needs and boundaries to those you’re living with and try your best to be patient as everyone navigates a new environment.
- Attend activities hosted by the RAs. Attending events specific to your dorm can help you meet and get to know the people who live there. I often felt very lonely in college because I couldn’t find my place socially, but attending events helped me meet more people.
Living on the Spectrum 
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