How to Know When It's Time to Leave the Dorms

By Brittany Loeffler on February 3, 2018

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If you want to live the full college experience, you have to live in a dorm. It’s the easiest way to make friends, learn how to be independent, and live like the college kids you watch in movies. This is all great and fun during your freshman year, but as you get older you realize that it may be time to leave the dorm and into an apartment.

It won’t be clear overnight that it’s time to leave the dorm. There are a few things that will happen and change that means you have outgrown dorm life.

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via Pixabay

You Want More Privacy

Most traditional dorm rooms have two or three people sharing one room. There is absolutely no privacy when it comes to living in a dorm. This is exciting at first! It’s like sharing a room with a sibling when you’re growing up. You and your roommate stay up all night talking and gossiping or you play video games well into the early hours of the morning.

At some point, you may realize that privacy is more important to you than being social with your roommate. You will want your own room and time to yourself.

You Are Ready for More Responsibility

Living in a dorm means following preset rules by the school and your Resident Assistants. There may be required quiet hours, mandatory room checks, and items that are prohibited. These rules are important if you have just moved out of your parents’ house because they keep you in line in hopes of learning responsibility.

As you get older and your priorities change, you are able to take on more responsibility. You will realize that the rules that have been put in place make sense. This means that you are ready to live on your own without an RA keeping an eye on you.

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via Pixabay

You’re Ready to Eat Healthier

You’ve mastered all the recipes possible to make in a microwave. You have exhausted your meal plan and have eaten the same thing for the last few weeks. Now it’s time to grow up and learn how to cook. Since most dorms don’t offer kitchens or appliances other than a mini fridge and a microwave, students must resort to unhealthy meals served on campus or microwave dinners.

When you move off-campus, you will have a full kitchen where you can cook healthy meals. You’ll also learn how to cook for yourself and gain more independence.

You Want to Separate Yourself From Campus

Your freshman year is full of school spirit and getting involved in campus activities. Campus seems like a resort that you never want to leave! After you have experienced it all, though, it can seem boring and unimportant.

Not that having school spirit isn’t important and fun, but as you get older you tend to focus more on your professional development. Rather than attending a pep rally, you may want to sit at home and spice up your resume for internships.

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via Pixabay

You’re Tired of the Communal Bathrooms

Sharing a communal bathroom is hard for everyone. Even when you go to the bathroom you don’t feel like you have ultimate privacy. You are tired of carrying everything you need into the bathroom. You’re sick of worrying that your roommate will lock you out in your towel. You’re also tired of wearing flip-flops every time you need to shower.

It’s fun at first because it’s a great way to meet people, but it gets old after a while.

You Want to Save Money

Residing in a dorm costs a ton of money. When applying to colleges, it’s recommended to add an additional $10,000 to the tuition to account for the dorm, meal plans, and textbooks. That’s a pretty hefty bill for somewhere you will be living for just nine months.

When you move off-campus, not only will you be spending less money, but you will also have way more amenities and your own room.

You Want to Feel at Home

It’s difficult to make a dorm room feel like home. With stark white walls, old furniture, and industrial flooring, you may be tired of feeling like you don’t have a home. While away at school, it’s important to feel comfortable where you live.

When you move off-campus, you are able to pick out the type of furniture you bring in and how to set it up. You are able to hang things on the walls and much more. You’re really able to make your apartment your home away from home.

Is it Time to Move?

You’ll cherish your memories of dorm life forever! Running down the hall to your friend’s room to hang out at three o’clock in the morning and the time you were locked out in your towel. They’re important experiences, but sometimes you outgrow them and it’s time to move on. So, ask yourself, is it time to leave the dorm?

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