<p>My daughter is deciding on which dorm to choose. She thought that she should be in the 'Healthy Living' dorms because she doesn't smoke, drink or do drugs. However, I was wondering if those dorms were mostly for students who have issues with substance abuse and are there for a support system, maybe having AA meetings, etc. On the flip side of this, if she chooses a 'non-healthy' dorm, will there be parties all night long? She will be attending Wash. U. in St. Louis. Thanks.</p>
<p>I am going to take a guess and say that the non-healthy dorm is not what you think it is.</p>
<p>I highly doubt the substance free dorms are mostly for students with substance abuse issues, and I would be surprised if a majority of students are there because of those issues. I would imagine most of students who choose that option probably do it because they want to avoid drunken college students wandering around their dorms. Also, I would imagine that AA meetings would become significantly less anonymous if they were being held in the dorm =D</p>
<p>As for non-healthy dorms, I doubt they would have parties all night long as well. College students party, yes, but they also sleep and occasionally go to class. Partying all night long is just exhausting.</p>
<p>I’m being a little facetious here, but I honestly wouldn’t worry to much about it either way. If she wants to choose the substance abuse dorms, then that’s fine. If she doesn’t, then that’s fine. College students generally have a very particular reputation, but for the most part, the majority really aren’t at the extremes that much. There is some moderation.</p>
<p>If she’s a light sleeper, thinks she’ll be annoyed with other students drinking, or just would rather have friends that don’t necessarily drink all of the time, then I thin the substance free housing sounds fine. If she doesn’t care, then either option sounds fine. Generally, the living experience really depends on who you’re living around and that’s really just luck of the draw.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that many students who do not drink or smoke marijuana in high school end up starting in college. </p>
<p>All three of my kids started college in substance free dorms. I think they were looking to make like-minded friends as well as quieter living spaces. Definitely all the kids in the substance free dorms with them did not STAY substance free. Some of them had parents who put them there against their wishes. Those don’t usually end up staying.</p>
<p>I was surprised-at an orientation for an honors program (with an honors dorm)- that so many incoming freshman were concerned that they would miss out on all the “fun” if they moved into an honors dorm. I guess it is really an individual decision for the student as to their reasons for attending college in the first place.</p>
<p>One of my son’s had a roommate that first year who came in drunk on many an evening - but he wasn’t drinking in the wellness dorm. He seemed to take it very good naturedly (although there was never any clean-up involved 
and continues to remain good friends with him (he says he is a good friend, just not a good roommate). I’m not sure the other two would have been so forgiving.</p>
<p>I think the flavor of substance free dorms can run from “egghead” to “nerd” and it probably varies by campus and even by year. If you could visit the one your daughter is considering, or if the school would give you the option to correspond with someone who lives in it, it might help with her decision. </p>