<p>At my college (UC Davis), I have been assigned a 4-6 person suite style dorm rather than a traditional dorm. By traditional dorm, I mean a double/triple room, common room for the entire floor, communal floor bathroom, etc. However, my dorm is different:</p>
<ul>
<li>Living rooms in each individual suite</li>
<li>2 bathrooms per suite (so basically sharing a bathroom with 2-3 people) that you clean yourself</li>
<li>A pool for each building!</li>
</ul>
<p>People said these types of dorms are less social than traditional dorms for 2 reasons: One, that each suite has its own living room so you tend to stay in your room more to socialize with your dormmates; and two, that since the rooms are larger, there's less inclination to keep the door open to let people in, since you can't be everywhere, as opposed to a traditional dorm where sitting on your bed is basically your entire room.</p>
<p>Anyone have any good/bad experiences with this type of room (if your college had both types of dorms or only this kind) and any advice? We already talked about it over on the Davis board so I'm posting here for more generalized advice rather than campus-specific.</p>
<p>Well we have apartment-style dorms, but they’re usually for juniors and seniors who don’t have to worry about the social aspect. (Actually, they’re the most social places, since a majority of people there are 21/22… or claim to be.) My friends that live in them say there’s no real desire or need to interact with hallmates, so yes that part’s true.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you’re worried about friends, you can make them in class, organizations, intramurals, mutual friends with your suitemates… etc. You’ll have to try a little harder than a traditional dorm to make friends early on, yeah, but nowhere near impossible.</p>
<p>well you kind of seem like you would be like that based on a few of your other posts here, but that’s my fear.</p>
<p>@LW</p>
<p>yeah i know that’s pretty convenient to have the bathroom so close.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>yes, that’s the problem i foresee. i know about hanging out with outside friends, but people always talk about how the dormmates/floormates are the first new people you meet in college, and when they have “no desire” to interact with them, that presents an issue</p>
<p>I’m not. As I said before, I’m not relying only on my dorm to make friends. But considering that the dorm people are usually the first new people you meet (move-in weekend) and the ones you see often in the morning and at night before before, and how much people say it’s good to meet your dormmates and become friend with them…</p>
<p>If you’re outgoing and like being around people, then you may prefer a traditional dorm, at least as a freshman. However, if you’re quite and serious – like me – then you’ll probably prefer a suite.</p>
<p>(Fun +>)
At my college, there are 3 categories of housing styles to choose from, Suite Style, Traditional Dorm Style, and Efficiency Apartment style. I prefer the Efficiency apartment style which is a single with an attached bath. </p>
<p>(Fun +++++>)
Anyone who is more of an extrovert will not select a single, these types of people will tend to select a residential hall that is more Traditional Dorm styled double/triple, these people tend to have a tolerance for everyone which allows them to develop more of a community as they meet just about everyone on the floor while eventually meeting friends of friends thus allowing them to cram friends into there Facebook accounts faster, this level of living appears to be ideal for a freshman.</p>
<p>(Fun +++>)
Those that may appear arrogant yet serious and who might like to communicate with that of a select ‘clique with class’ will tend to opt for a suite style dorm, people living in suite style dorms to me reflects the attitudes resembling that of a resident of a frat/soror house but of course without the pompous attitude. These can also be considered as sophomore/ juniors/ seniors of have sorted out who they can and can not tolerate. </p>
<p>Based on my campus experience of in-dorm relations.</p>
<p>At my school we have no traditional dorms, it’s all suite/apartment style. If you’re really worried about making friends, just do it. Go knock on people’s doors the first couple of days. Chances are your RA will be throwing programs the first few weeks to get everyone out; go to them! They’re spending money that’s coming directly from your tuition to plan these, so by not going you’re basically wasting part of your tuition.</p>
<p>I’m living in the suites at Davis as well, and am not worried at all. I had a bunch of friends who lived in them last year and had a great time, even though they hardly talked to their suite mates. You’ll have the chance to meet people in classes/clubs/etc that you can then invite back to your room or your living room. </p>
<p>Just start talking to people. Worked for me in CC…I’m leaving a lot of great friends behind, and I was in a very anti-social commuter environment.</p>
<p>And on the flip side, I live in a suite and most of the suites on my floor have open doors, and people regularly walk in. Or at the very least say hi as they walk by.</p>