Do I Need a Dorm in College? The Pros, Cons, and Other Things to Consider

When you think about the typical college experience, what comes to mind? Most people will likely picture students on campus rushing to their classes, Greek organizations, and dorm life. If you’re a high school junior or senior beginning your college search, the thought of living in a dorm has likely crossed your mind a few times. While it may seem miniscule compared to deciding what major to pursue, dorm life is really something to ponder, as it can either enhance your experience or be a total nightmare.

In this article, we’ll give you all the details you need on whether or not dorm life is right for you.

What is living in a dorm room like?

Before we discuss the pros and cons of dorm life, it’s crucial to understand what it means and what comes with it. A dorm, also known as a dormitory or residence hall, is on-campus housing for college students. 

There are several types of dorm rooms, including:

• Traditional: This is your typical room, shared with one roommate. It comes with a twin bed, a desk, a closet, and a dresser for each student.
• Suites: These are a group of dorm rooms that share a bathroom. 
• Apartment-style: This type of dorm is like a mini apartment, including a private bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, and laundry facilities.
• Jack-and-Jill: These are two private dorm rooms connected by a bathroom. 

Aside from the types of rooms available, here’s what living in a dorm room typically entails:

• Roommates: While some colleges offer the luxury of single dorm rooms, as an incoming freshman, you’ll likely be sharing your space with another student. If you don’t pick someone ahead of time, most schools will send you a questionnaire and match you with someone you have a strong chance of getting along with.
• Limited space: As previously mentioned, dorms are very small, so you don’t want to overpack, as you may not have the space to store anything beyond your essentials. Plus, you want to be respectful of the fact that you’re sharing a room with someone else who also has belongings to store.
• Shared bathrooms: Depending on your chosen school, you’ll share a bathroom with a roommate or a communal bathroom with every student on your floor. If this is the case, grab a shower caddy, a bathrobe, and shower shoes.
• Dorm rules: Not to be the bearer of bad news, but that new independence you’ll get living in a dormitory doesn’t exempt you from following the rules. Most residence halls have quiet hours, guest policies, and regulations about which appliances can be used in your room. If you break the rules, you may get a warning or two at first, but if you keep at it, you risk being kicked out and possibly expelled from the school.
• Resident assistants: Every dormitory assigns a resident assistant to every floor. These are upper-level students responsible for ensuring the residents follow the rules. They may do unscheduled pop-ins to check out your room to ensure you’re not doing anything you’re not supposed to. 

Knowing these things before moving day can make the first few weeks of dorm life less stressful. 

What are the benefits and downsides of living in a dorm?

Here’s a look at the great and not-so-great things about living on campus in a dormitory:

Pros

• Convenience: Living on campus puts you closer to your classes, libraries, dining halls, and other necessary resources.
• Boosts your social life: It can be easier to make friends, attend social events, and be more involved on campus.
• Academic growth: You have easier access to tutoring, mentoring, and study groups—which are all beneficial to your academic success.
• Security: Safety is a high priority on most campuses, so you can rest assured that your residence hall will likely have strong security measures.
• All-inclusive costs: You won’t have to worry about a utility or internet bill when living in a dorm, as these fees are included in your room and board.

Cons

• Pricey: Dorm living can be expensive without a full or partial scholarship covering room and board. In fact, the average cost of room and board at a public university is $12,986 per year.
• Limited privacy: Sharing a bedroom and bathroom leaves little room for privacy in a residence hall.
• Noise and distraction: If you’re expecting solitude, a dorm room may not be the right place for you. Residence halls are often filled with shouting students, outside noises, slamming doors, and much more.
• Regulations: As mentioned before, dorm living entails guest policies, curfews, and restrictions on personalization and appliances.
• Limited food options: Most students who live in dorms must purchase a meal plan, which may offer limited food and potentially not-so-great food choices from the dining halls.

What are the alternatives to dorm living?

Maybe you were on the fence about dorm life, but after learning about the benefits and downsides, you’ve decided it's not for you. No worries—living in a residence hall is not your only option.

Here are some alternatives to a dorm:

• Off-campus housing: This option gives you more independence than a dorm, but you’ll be financially responsible for paying rent, utilities, internet, and other bills.
• Campus apartment: This is a good middle ground between dorm life and off-campus housing. 
• Commuting from home: This will likely be the cheapest option, but the commute could limit your ability to meet and network with people on campus. 

How to choose what’s best for you

If you’re still considering a dorm, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is living in a dorm within my budget, or should I consider other options?
• Am I okay with sharing a small space with a roommate, or would I prefer more privacy?
• Would closer proximity to campus be better for my academic growth and success, or would I excel at the same level as a commuter student?
• Does my prospective college require me to stay on campus for my first year?

Try to visit your prospective school and check out their residence halls. Getting a visualization of a place you’ll spend a significant amount of time in can give you a better idea of if dorm life is suitable for you.

The bottom line

Is living in a dorm during college worth it? Well, it depends on your personal preferences. If you’re seeking that true college experience and are willing to share a space with a potential stranger, it could be the right choice for you. But if you’re all about your privacy and want to save as much money as possible on tuition, you may want to commute from your home or seek off-campus housing. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, but understand that whatever you decide, it is only a small part of your college experience—so try not to worry yourself over it.

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