What High School Seniors Should Really Expect About Dorm Life
So youāre almost done with high school. Youāve picked your college, you’re starting to collect spirit wear, and youāve probably heard the phrase ālife is about to changeā roughly 147 times.
And itās true ā especially if you’re leaving the comfort of home for the chaos (and charm) of dorm life.
Letās break down the real differences between living at home with Mom and Dad vs. living in a dorm with a roommate ā plus what students at places like Arizona State, University of South Carolina, Alabama, and Michigan State have to say about it.
š Life at Home: Where the Dishwasher Loads Itself
Living at Home Includes Perks Like:
- Private bedroom (with a door that locks and maybe a dog that sleeps in it)
- Unlimited snacks (you didnāt pay for)
- A washer and dryer that magically work 24/7
- Your mom reminding you about doctorās appointments, clean laundry, and missing socks
- Meals that show up without you budgeting for them
In short: itās comfortable, predictable, and… maybe a little boring sometimes.
šļø Dorm Life: Your New āCozyā 12×15 Kingdom
Living in a Dorm Means:
- Youāll share your space with a stranger who might become your bestie ā or who might eat tuna with their fingers at 2 a.m.
- Your closet shrinks by 90%. Your snack stash? Even smaller.
- You learn what ācommunal bathroomā really means (bring. shower. shoes.)
- You have to figure out when to do laundry without Mom’s reminders
- You gain the freedom to make your own rules ā and learn to live with the consequences
š« Real Talk from Real Dorms
š„ Arizona State University (ASU)
ASUās dorms, like Tooker House and Taylor Place, are modern and packed with tech ā but the biggest complaint from freshmen? Noise.
āPeople are always coming and going. You really learn how to sleep through anything,ā one ASU student said.
š University of South Carolina
At USC, community-style dorms like Patterson Hall throw you right into social life.
āI met my best friend on the first day. But also bring headphones ā there is no such thing as privacy,ā says a freshman.
š University of Alabama
Bamaās freshmen dorms vary wildly ā from suite-style to older halls.
āMove-in day is INSANE. Everyoneās got a tent and fan and their grandma helping them. Plan ahead and pack smart,ā says one student.
š Michigan State University
Dorms like Akers Hall or Brody Complex are huge and community-centered.
āIt feels like a small town inside a building. Youāll never be alone ā which is good and bad,ā says an MSU student
šÆāāļø Roommate Reality Check
Living with a roommate isnāt just about splitting the fridge. Itās about:
- Respecting different sleep schedules
- Learning how to ask, āHey, can you not play EDM at 6 a.m.?ā
- Sharing stuff (or setting clear boundaries if you donāt want to)
- Communicating ā even when itās awkward
Pro Tip: Fill out a roommate agreement early. Yes, even if you’re already friends.
š§³ Pack Like a Pro: What You Actually Need
Donāt bring everything you own. Dorm rooms are tiny. Target and Amazon will still exist once you get to campus.
š Start here with our Essential Dorm Room Checklist ā it’s got what real college students swear by, from mattress toppers to mini-fans.
šÆ Final Thoughts: Your Dorm Isnāt Just a Room ā Itās a Launchpad
Youāll cry in it. Youāll laugh in it. Youāll probably spill ramen in it.
But most of all, your dorm room is your first real taste of independence.
Itās where you figure out who you are, how to live with other people, and how to keep a cactus alive (or fail, gloriously).
So high school seniors: donāt fear the change. Embrace it. Prepare smart, pack right, and get ready to write the next chapter ā dorm-sized.