<p>This might sound stupid to alot of you social butterflies, but for alot of us introverts, the dorm life is a bit intimidating. Since my first year of college pretty much blew chunks, my parents are pretty much insisting I go to a 4-year college and STAY on campus. </p>
<p>I actually stayed in a dorm for a summer term for a young scholars program for high schoolers back in 2010 at UMD and enjoyed it for the most part, but it was basically summer camp because of all the chaperones, everything was planned out, and check-in time or whatever. This time, it's the real thing and it's not just 3 weeks. I'm kind of shy and have a hard time breaking the ice with people sometimes, especially now since I've been so secluded at this CC hellhole of mine. lol. Can anyone give me some words of encouragement or advice to help me understand if I'm just overreacting and this ***** actually isn't a big deal?</p>
<p>I’m an introvert and I adapted to dorm life pretty well. I live in a suite-style dorm arrangement with 3 other people, and except for my roommate (who’s the social butterfly), my two other suitemates and I are all introverts. We do pretty well by ourselves, and since each suite has its own living room/study area (along with the bedrooms and own bathroom), my suitemates and I don’t really interact with anyone else on our floor. Last quarter we did, but that was mainly because of my roommate getting us to go out. This quarter though, since my roommate is away due to personal reasons, we don’t go out as much as we did last quarter since we really don’t connect with our floor the way my roommate did (and community dinners with the floor are so awkward). My suitemates and I just basically hang out with each other when we don’t have classes or aren’t studying, and we’re fine with that.</p>
<p>There is literally nothing exciting or intimidating about living in a dorm. No one cares if you’re a social butterfly or you just stay in your room all day. Last semester, I saw one of my floormates a single time in the entire semester.</p>
<p>I’m an introvert too and I guess I’m not speaking from dorm room experience, but I go to community college and I also studied abroad with a bunch of people I didn’t know at first. They turned out to be some of my closest friend and it’s all because I put myself out there and decided to get to know them. It’s not really a matter of NOT being afraid- lol I’m always nervous when I talk to people, but I put myself out there anyway because I know that it’s better to get to know people and have the possibility of making some great friends than not even trying. And eventually, when they do become your friends, it’s not awkward or nerve-wracking anymore and it’s usually worth it. So my best advice is to just ignore your nerves and tell yourself that there are probably lots of other shy people out there too, waiting to be talked to. Try joining clubs, or going to events, or doing things on campus that you love, because that’s the best way to meet people like yourself. Hope this helps :)</p>
<p>I found it a bit difficult to get out and make friends my first year, as the type of person who liked to work independently and quietly away from others. But, my RA (residential assistant/advisor?) was really great and always planned cool events for our floor of the dorm, so I would try and go out to those and take part in social events at my dorm. I did stick (a bit) to my high school friends, but I ended up meeting some awesome people by joining clubs and taking risks (like going on a week-long volunteering trip over spring break with 6 people that I had barely spent ANY time with or met before our trip) I don’t think you should psych yourself out, cause you’ll find that it’s really not that hard to meet new people, especially when you’re surrounded by other new people who don’t know many others.</p>
<p>I can totally relate to this post, since I’m an introvert as well. I was so nervous to meet my roommates before I moved into my dorm. They are cool and all but I was starting to feel a lack of privacy. lol Anyway, i actually was browsing the internet and found this really cool cover thing for my bed that lets me “get away” even when I’m in my room. So if you’re anything like me, you’ll be fine!</p>
<p>A few people have asked me what this cover thing looks like, but I can’t really describe it. And since I don’t know how to post pictures, lol I’m just gonna say google privacy pop dot com or go to their website. I hope this helps!</p>
<p>I’m an extreme introvert and I LOVED dorm life. If you want to hole up in your room and be antisocial, you can…but if you want to hang out in the common area and chat up strangers, you can do that too. It’s pretty awesome.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to be crude, but: I’m the kind of person for whom home is the place where I can poop for how ever long I desire. So living in a dorm will mean I will lose this lovely privilege, which will be hard to get accustomed to.
Otherwise, I feel like my idea of dorms has been distorted by all the american movies I’ve seen, and by all the pictures I’ve seen online from college parties. I console myself with the thought that those things don’t happen at the colleges I’ve applied to. But if my dorm experience does turn out to be a porno, I’m going back to romania.</p>
<p>Maybe your roommate will be shy also or you’ll have an outgoing roommate that talks and makes you feel more comfortable.I know I’m kinda that way-make friends with more outgoing people caz they usually talk first and with shy ppl like me we usually don’t say anything unless I do-or we become best friends.</p>
<p>Don’t worry I’m sure they’ll be lots of different people with different personalities and eventually you’ll get comfortable
~good luck</p>
<p>Its actually called a privacy pop (the thing I was talking about) and I found it on their website. A few people messaged me for the name of the cover.</p>
<p>I used to be in the same boat, but after a month, I got used to it pretty quickly. Living on campus is the BEST thing that could happen to you, believe me. You get to sleep late, dine on campus, and get involved so much easier.</p>
<p>The most important thing to remember about living in a dorm is to be a good roommate yourself. If you have the option, and lets hope you do, go for a suite style dorm situation. Basically it is like living in an apartment with roommates that are set up for you. </p>
<p>You sound like a person that needs their own room, and really who doesn’t? If you have your own room then you have space to call your own. It allows for privacy and a spot to go and get quiet. </p>
<p>If there are no dorms offered that are not rooms shared then look into renting nearby. So many schools have independent living situations that work out really well for people that don’t want to be crammed in with another person. There are probably apartment complexes nearby that rent to individuals that are all going to school together but don’t have 3 or 4 friends that are ready to rent a place together. It ends up being pretty cheap.</p>
<p>Living dorm style will give you the chance to learn some good life skills from living with strangers.</p>