<p>I will be a freshman in college next year and don't know which to request. I've heard the pros/cons of both from people; here are some of the things they said and how they apply to me. I'm considering Dartmouth, if anyone has anecdotal evidence of their dorm life, but mainly, general advice would be appreciated. :)</p>
<p>Pros for Single
Alone time - I'm pretty social but I do like to have time to myself every now and then
Don't have to worry about what goes where - my room is not super messy but not impeccably clean either - but I've noticed that usually I tend to be the "neat-freakier" one.
Can sleep well - I'm a pretty light sleeper.
Can work on my own schedule and not bother roommate, etc. - I tend to watch out for people I'm staying with and make sure I'm not crossing any boundaries, etc. So not having to worry about how my actions affect my roommate would be nice.</p>
<p>Pros for Double
Automatic friend? :) - I'm not super shy or anything, but a lot of people have mentioned that it's good to have an "automatic friend" freshman year. Is this true? I also heard that people on the same floor get pretty close anyway so being a single would be fine.
Better social life - input?
Larger room and more space</p>
<p>I would suggest a double especially if you are coming to college without someone you already know because it is an automatic friend or at least a chance to make a friend lol. Also about the floormates being all friends is not always true some floors click and hang out while my floor stays to themselves and we all have friends other places. It really just depends but my floor wasnt all freshman this year. Also being in a double gives you the confront of never being absolutely alone.</p>
<p>I feel like I’m less of a loner when I have a roommate. I’m normally extroverted, but if I have a room to myself, I just become more and more introverted until it’s absolutely painful.</p>
<p>However, the light sleeper thing is something to consider. My roommate’s alarm goes off earlier than mine, but I can block it out and go back to sleep. Other people aren’t like that. You also need to consider your health, sleeping-wise, because college is hard enough without sleep issues too.</p>
<p>As much as I wish I had a single at this point in my first year, I think the first three-quarters of the first semester would have absolutely sucked in a single. With a roommate, you’re guaranteed someone to eat with and otherwise hang out with before you find a group of your own friends. It might not seem like a big advantage now, but when you’re hungry but don’t want to go to the dining hall alone those first few weeks, you’ll be glad to have someone to cling to. </p>
<p>However, at some schools, there are entire floors or dorms of singles. This kind of community facilitates the same insta-bonds as roommates would.</p>
<p>I was in a single in my first year, double in my second year, transferred to a different college since then and still in college living in my own boarding house. Biggest differences I saw is cleanliness and privacy. Yes, you will be able to socialize and learn how to share a room with somebody. I wouldn’t necessarily say you will get more space. Remember: you are sharing all of that space with your roommate. Single rooms have plenty of space. In a single room, you have privacy, you can put things anywhere you want, no worries about bothering your roommate. In a double, you have to make sure that you don’t get on your roommate’s nerves. People say “if you are in a single, you will never become social”. I disagree. Easily solution: get out of your room and walk to to other people’s dorms and hang out with other people. Go to events or just hang out with people. Double is cheaper but you sacrifice privacy. That’s the biggest thing I think. Overall, double isn’t bad unless you get a bad roommate. Single and double both have good experiences.</p>
<p>It’s hard for me to say. I’m in a triple and one of my roommates is my best friend… The other one is just horrible in every way. I would say a double would be nice, but don’t be afraid to switch if things don’t work out. The only reason I haven’t switched is because I want to continue rooming with my good roommate.</p>