<p>SO I know someone who has just graduated from UCLA and he recommended that I get a plaza, but I got a hall instead. He told me to try and change it immediately (failed) because halls were disgusting. They're cramped, dirty, old, no ac, etc... is this really true. Because it would just bring down my whole UCLA experience. Anyone who's been in a res hall before have any comments?</p>
<p>Depends on which hall you got. Some halls might be disgusting, dirty, old, etc… But most of the halls on campus are actually pretty nice (Sproul is my favorite so far).</p>
<p>They’re not THAT bad. Sure, they are cramped, old, don’t have ac, etc. (i don’t know if i would call them dirty) but they’re also the best way to meet new people and make friends, which is really important if you’re a freshman.</p>
<p>Go read the housing thread, it talks more about this - pretty much, there’s kind of a trade off between the social and physical aspects of where you live - plazas tend to be quiet, isolating, but very comfortable, whereas residence halls tend to be less comfortable, but much more social. </p>
<p>I was a freshmen last year and lived in hedrick (hall) and it was probably the best part of my college experience. I met a lot of people, some of whom became my close friends, and it was very easy to socialize - all you have to do is walk down the hall or go out into the lounge. Not that you couldn’t make lots of friends if you lived in a plaza, but you would have to put more effort into it, by going to clubs and outside activities.</p>
<p>Hedrick = best time of my life as well. It’s an awesome experience, but it may not be for you if you can’t tolerate the cramped quarters and shared bathroom. It’s clean if you make an effort to keep the room clean, and being cramped means you spend less time in your room.</p>
<p>I feel like the ones who got pampered at home by their parents may not be able to handle it, or if you’re OCD clean, or some other sort of person who is unable to tolerate less than ideal situations.</p>
<p>its kinda impossible to always keep a res hall room clean. there are way too many little corners and edges that you can never clean…</p>
<p>i had the worst allergies in my life in dykstra…</p>
<p>Is it annoying have to share a bathroom with a whole floor?</p>
<p>nah. social bathrooms will be the only thing ill miss from the hall.</p>
<p>I have a plaza, Sunset Village, I’ll totally trade you for your hall alithyiaden because I need to save some money and plazas are more money than halls. I’m dead serious about this. let me know if you’re interested.</p>
<p>Like others have been saying, the halls are a great experience, especially for freshmen - keep it… or trade with nodnarb and let him/her enjoy it :)</p>
<p>I didn’t dislike it my first year, but I’m glad I’m changing to plaza</p>
<p>I was going to offer to trade with you but someone beat me to it.</p>
<p>I thought you can only trade after school starts</p>
<p>I lived in Dykstra… my experience wasn’t so great. Without AC, we had to keep the window open 24/7 which made the room covered in perma-dust. I didn’t mind having a floor bathroom, but it was about a minute away from my room, which was a huge pain. Other than that, it wasn’t too bad, very social, good RA’s. But I still can’t wait to move to a plaza and never look back :)</p>
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<p>This is actually a good point - I think you can only do direct trades after school starts. You should call the housing office to confirm - but you guys should consider staying in touch and actually doing a direct trade once its allowed if you really want to switch.</p>
<p>Yeah trading happens like october 5-6 or something like that according to my denial email. So if you’re (alithyiaiden) still up to trading after having experienced the res. halls for a few days then hit me up and i’d be happy to exchange</p>
<p>I lived in Dykstra and it wasn’t that bad at all.</p>
<p>But you should also remember that people bond through tough times~</p>
<p>alithyiaiden, are you a guy or a girl if you don’t mind me asking.</p>
<p>I’m a girl.</p>
<p>ive never known anyone thats done the room swap. CARs are fine but this just seems so inconvenient…</p>
<p>the year goes so fast. just stick with what you got.</p>
<p>ahh crap nvm then alith. i’m a guy… darn i really wanted that res hall too ,o well</p>