Communal Living at Oberlin

After just one week away from the dorm I've realized I sort of miss communal living. I miss late night talks with my roommate, being able to eat at crazy times of the day, the 8 a.m. bathroom rush that makes you feel a little alone in the morning, and being able to pull tubs of ice cream out of my freezer while I study. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been craving my own bed all semester long, but there’s a certain special atmosphere when you are able to create your own space and community in a dorm. 

Like many other students, sharing living and bathroom space was one of my biggest concerns when thinking about going to college. Finding comfortability, routine, and enjoyment while living with hundreds of other adolescents seemed like a far-fetched idea. However, now entering my sixth semester at Oberlin I can safely say that the pros of communal living far outweigh the cons. In this blog I’m going to address some of the common concerns that prospective students have (many of which I also had during the college process!). 

1. Bathrooms. Most dorms have communal bathrooms with some single-stall bathrooms mixed in. Personally I’ve never had to wait for a shower stall or sink to open up, and have often found I’m the only person showering during my usual time. This being said, there are absolutely some busier times, which tend to fall around 8-10 a.m. and 10-11 p.m.. Bathrooms never get crazy, but during these times it’s a safe bet you won’t have the bathroom completely to yourself. Here are some items I recommend adding to your wish list to make your communal bathroom experience more enjoyable:
   1. Shower Caddy. I prefer the mesh bags because you can hang it inside or next to the shower stall whereas the plastic caddies have to be placed on the floor.
   2. Two Towels. The amount of times my towel has fallen off the hook and onto the gross floor is countless. If you have two bath towels, then in the worst case scenario you always have a backup towel should one make an unexpected trip off of the shower hook. Plus, if you have a friend visit it’s nice to be able to offer them a towel.
   3. Shower Shoes. These are a must! Custodial staff is meticulous in their care of communal bathrooms, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should take risks by going barefoot. Even in the cleanest of conditions you can still pick up fungal or bacterial infections.
   4. Toiletries Bag. Every bathroom has a little ledge above the sinks, so having a toiletries bag makes it easy to access and carry everything you need for your morning or evening routines.
   5. Robe! Some people just wrap a towel around themselves but I find that a robe allows for more warmth (Oberlin winters are no joke!) and a bit of extra protection against accidents (it’s not impossible for a towel to lose its grip).
2. Dorm Rooms. Most first-years at Oberlin will be assigned to an open double, which is a single room with two beds. Sharing a space can be hard for a lot of people, especially if you’ve never been in a situation where you have slept in a shared space before. Here are some tips for success and getting the most enjoyment possible out of sharing a room with another student!
   1. Your roommate doesn’t have to be your friend. It’s a great bonus that you are able to become friends with your roommate, but you’ll only set yourself up for disappointment if this is your expectation. You just need to peacefully coexist with each other, that’s it. Oberlin offers a plethora of opportunities during Fall semester to meet new people, whether it’s in your dorm, academic departments, or as a campus community as a whole. Take advantage of these and branch out to meet new people, especially if it's outside of your comfort zone!
   2. Earplugs. I’ve honestly not had a whole lot of trouble with noise at Oberlin (I lived on a quiet floor my first year and noticed no difference between living there versus a traditional floor with no theming). However, I am sensitive to noises like my fan or air purifier, so it’s useful to have earplugs for those situations.
   3. Personalize your space. Your dorm is your home for eight months of the year, and ResLife is relatively flexible with decorations or readjusting furniture locations. If you want your bed under the window, move it! If you want cozy fairy lights on every surface of the room, do it! Make your space your own and you’ll be so much happier.
3. Communal Spaces. Every dorm has a lounge, and some have practice rooms, meeting rooms, or game spaces. I think spaces like these speak so much to the vibrant and exciting community at Oberlin. Students are happy to welcome strangers to join a game or movie, you might make a new baking friend in the kitchen, and a stranger on the way to class is sure to help you out if you should get locked out of your room. There’s not really any tips for this section of the blog, but I just want to emphasize that the communal spaces in dorms are some of my favorite places on campus. Take advantage of them! 

That wraps up this blog, I hope it makes you a little less anxious about communal living at Oberlin. For me Oberlin feels like home both intangibly and tangibly, and I know it will for you too.