College freshmen in the dorms at George Mason University (Photo courtesy of Catherine Rogers)
By Catherine Rogers
DAYTON (TN) – Each year millions of high school graduates pack up their most essential belongings and head off to higher education. They leave behind their homes, families and familiarity and venture into the unknown to live in dormitories full of complete strangers.
For many incoming college freshmen, this will be a major life adjustment and can be quite intimidating. However, taking a look into what dorm life is really like can help you know what to expect and how to prepare.
For a peek at dorm life, view this slideshow of students at Bryan College (Dayton, Tenn.).
Moving in with a new roommate will require a variety of adjustments. Students will have the opportunity to develop social skills such as good communication, teamwork, sharing, respect for others, and being considerate.
“Some of the biggest adjustments for me were sharing space, respecting my roommate’s living habits, and working around our different sleeping schedules,” said Hannah Rogers, graduate student at the University of Virginia.
Dorm life can also help students learn to be more independent.
“Getting to sleep at a normal hour and giving myself a decent amount of rest was definitely something I’ve had to learn,” said Josh Rivers, a freshman at George Washington University.
The following video captures what students at Bryan College have learned about adjusting to dorm life.
Another important thing for new college students to realize is that living with a roommate and experiencing dorm life is an important life experience. It will help the student prepare for life after graduation.
“I think it’s an experience that is absolutely necessary; it helps you develop essential social skills,” said Rivers.
Myra Goza, Resident Director at Bryan College, shares her perspective on dorm life in the following interview.
Going to college for the first time can be very exciting. For more information about adjusting to college and dorm life, click on the following links.
“Your First Year of College: 25 Tips to Help You Survive and Thrive Your Freshman Year and Beyond”
http://www.quintcareers.com/first-year_success.html
UCTV Series: “College Bound”
http://www.uctv.tv/series/?seriesnumber=138
