<p>This morning, my roommate asked me how I liked living on my own. My first reaction was, "Huh? What do you mean?" because I never even considered living in a dorm "on my own." Is that strange? I honestly felt more independent when I was living at home with my parents because I could essentially do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted without things like mandatory quiet hours, dining halls that close at 7PM, no car, no ****ing internet connection (! I know right? A school with 16,000 students that doesn't have the wireless capabilities to support them in the dorms 22 hours of the day, and that crashes at least once a week. It's such a pain), etc., etc. Even the off-campus housing options seems like a headache waiting to happen. My suitemates are talking about getting a house next year with 10 or 11 people. It's like The Real World on steroids!</p>
<p>I think if you lived fairly independently at home, you might feel restricted in the dorms. However, I think it’s a good bridge between living at home with your parents and really living out on your own. There’s more independence but a lot is taken care of for you.</p>
<p>I live in an apartment now with three other people. I like it because they’re my friends and it’s much more private. However, I got a deal where all bills are included in the rent. My parents also put money on a card I can use to buy groceries. So I kind of feel only a little more independent as I only have to pay my rent each month, nothing else. It’s much, much better than living at home though and it’s pretty stress-free so I feel like I have the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>I hated the dorms though. Very restrictive. I only felt a little more independent. Off-campus is much better.</p>
<p>I think dorm life is a lot more like pretending to live on your own. But like Roxsox said, it’s good for bridging the gap. But I agree, coming from a home where I was pretty independent, it feels more restrictive.</p>
<p>I’m a senior who still doesn’t feel independent. It’s a bit of a double edge sword when you’re parents pay for everything. Sure I have a lot of money in the bank but I’ve yet to get any true taste of independence beyond living alone.</p>
<p>hahaha, yeah, to some dorm life could seem like “living on your own” but i agree with you, it’s not. it’s definitely in between living with your parents (again, depends on your parents) and living on your own, but not what i would call living on your own.
i was for sure freer in the dorms than i was with my parents, but i lived in a house with friends last year and i’m doing the same this year and that really IS living on your own.</p>
<p>and yeah, none of this has that much to do with true independence. i’m still financially dependent on my parents. it’s just no one is telling me what to do with my time.</p>
<p>I’ve never understood how people can say that dorm life/“the college experience” prepares you for being an adult. Living in dorms kind of felt like summer camp, lol. Sharing a closet sized room with someone else, not having to pay utilities or bills (usually), your grocery money is on your I.D. card, you have your R.A. to help you solve your problems, your “rent” is paid for all at once and sometimes by loans or your parent’s money. You don’t really have anything to worry about while living in dorms. Everyone still acted like they were in high school, and it was just a really annoying atmosphere to live in.</p>
<p>Well my parents are rather restrictive. It’s only been this past month or so before I move out (move in is on the eighteenth) that I’ve been pushing them to let me get out a little more often, even if it’s just going to the bank by myself. I’ve had enough of it, honestly. It’s because of them that I haven’t had a chance to see any of my friends this summer before they left for college. I’m just ready to get out. Things are going to be different, and dorm life, no matter what the restrictions, will bee living on my own.</p>
<p>^^ Until your parents make you call them at 10 PM every night to make sure you’re not dead. Yeah they’re looking out for your well being but it’s effing annoying.</p>