What No One Tells You About Picking a Dorm in College

Starting college is a wild mix of excitement, nerves, and a hundred questions. One of the first big decisions you’ll make? Where you’re going to live. Choosing a dorm seems simple — until you realize how much your living situation can impact your entire first year.

It’s Not Just a Room — It’s Your Entire World

For the first few months of college, your dorm isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s your kitchen, your study spot, your movie theater, your hangout space, and sometimes even your therapist’s office. So yeah — it matters more than most people think.

Things to Actually Look For

• Location, location, location: Being close to your classes, dining halls, or gym makes a huge difference — especially when it’s raining or you’ve overslept.
• Bathroom setup: Suite-style bathrooms are gold. Community bathrooms? Manageable, but bring shower shoes and lower your expectations.
• Roommate situation: Who you live with can make or break your experience. Some schools let you match ahead of time. If you can — do it. Don’t leave it completely to chance.
• Storage space: You’d be surprised how quickly stuff adds up. Look for rooms with under-bed space, built-in shelves, or decent closets.
• Noise and vibes: Some dorms are known for being loud and social, others are quiet and academic. Think about what kind of environment you actually want — not just what sounds cool.

What I Wish I Knew

Before I moved into my dorm, I thought all the rooms were basically the same. I quickly learned that the building you choose can totally change how connected you feel, how well you sleep, and even how often you go to class (yeah, I said it).

My advice? Don’t just pick the dorm with the coolest photos or the one your friends are going to. Do a little digging. Read Reddit threads. Watch student YouTube tours. Ask questions. Your future self will thank you.

The Bottom Line

Your dorm won’t be perfect — and that’s okay. You’ll figure it out as you go. But starting with a little awareness can help you land in a space that sets you up to thrive. Because college is about more than academics — it’s about feeling at home while you figure it all out.

And trust me, where you sleep, study, and snack… matters more than you think.