Dorm Vs. Apartment

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I need opinions.</p>

<p>Last year, I went to college. Despite my better judgment, I decided to live in the dorms. I'm not what you would call the most social person, and the fact that I was a few years older than most of the other freshmen.</p>

<p>It turned out okay. My roomate and I had our disagreements, but I didn't bond with her like the rest of my friends seemed to with their own roomates. I didn't even have her phone number. She was the completely opposite as me, studious, social, had friends always coming in and out of the dorm. I had none of this.</p>

<p>I had a few friends, and it wasn't like I never went anywhere, I did, it's just that I usually didn't like going places unless my friends invited me and even then I stayed away from social situations most times.</p>

<p>This year, I didn't have the money to pay for school, so I had to stay home and go to community college. I've been re-accepted though for the fall semester this year, and pending how much money I'm able to get in financial aid, I'll probably be able to go back next year.</p>

<p>Anyway, here is my predicament. Should I live in a dorm again this fall, or opt for an apartment? I've heard that an apartment is cheaper than living in the dorms, and I'm anxious to be completely out on my own living on my own. With that though comes the problem of company. I'll be living by myself ( sans any pets I might get ), and the friends that I had last year likely won't be around. They never even contacted me once this year. So I'll likely have to start over friend wise completely...and I don't know if living in an apartment is the best way to make friends and socialize.</p>

<p>Then again, I don't think it's too late to apply for a dorm. I won't have any privacy, and I'll again be older than the rest of the people living in the dorm, but there will be people around, and I think that if I work at it, I can make a friend or two. I just hate eating in the dining hall alone.</p>

<p>SO, what are your opinions? Anyone go through a similar situation and can offer me advice?</p>

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<p>I also am older than the other students in the dorms. It can be frustrating as most freshmen are pretty immature and you may have already passed that stage. There is nothing wrong with living in the apartments if you promise yourself to do everything else you can to meet other students (clubs, meeting people in class). Also, if you don’t want to hang out with people younger than you, those might be the only ones in the dorms anyway depending on your school.</p>

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<p>It’s not that I don’t want to hang out with people younger than me. I don’t really care. I actually don’t mind hanging out with people. I’m only three or four years older than most of them. I’m just worried that they’ll care.</p>

<p>I’ve never been to a club or a bar before, not because I don’t want to or am against it in anyway…I’ve just never had the opportunity to do so and don’t really want to go alone. If I was more outgoing, it would be easier to meet people…but it’s hard to change your entire mindset.</p>

<p>Which is part of the reason I’m even considering a dorm…because it all but forces you to be social. I’m just worried that some of the other girls might not like me or whatever. I know, I worry too much. Even when I was in the dorm last year, I mainly kept to myself and didn’t leave the dorm all that often.</p>

<p>I’m really looking forward to an apartment though, because I’m 23 and I want to move out of my parents’ house. I would just need to get a job later on that could pay for rent once my financial aid runs out.</p>