Kudos to the officials from MSU Residential and Hospitality Services — you were successful in brainwashing me into believing dorm life would result in the best experience of my college career.
And I’m not just being sarcastic, at least not yet.
On-campus living presents new challenges
As a resident of Bryan Hall, situated on the northwest corner of the Brody Complex (go Brojects!), I have met more people representing more backgrounds than my hometown of Portage, Mich., ever could handle.
If I chose to live off campus, I would not have the same opportunities to listen to new music, discover new foods or be able to live outside my comfort zone. There is nothing more fulfilling than meeting new people and solidifying friendships that will last a lifetime.
Additionally, the benefits of having a cafeteria steps away from the back door are great when you want to take a quick study break.
Although the perks of dorm life seemingly are endless, there is a downside to living with like-aged people.
This is college and it comes as no question people will party. By no means do I attempt to generalize the student population.
According to a study by Olin Health Center, in 2007-08, 70 percent of MSU students are doing something other than drinking on a typical Thursday night, proving my previous point.
Although my floor might be an exception.
On a typical Thursday, Friday, Saturday, actually, every night of the week, a loud group of students decides to openly drink alcohol in the dorms.
On what seemed to be a normal weekend before last semester’s finals, my roommate and I were peeking around the corner as a marijuana bust was going down.
No matter how many times the police are called, I honestly do not think anyone gives a damn about those who actually are there not only to have a good time when appropriate, but to sleep in peace before a day of exams and work.
When I’m on assignment for work or even at class, I’m only able to hear stories about how someone on my floor was caught smoking pot in the community showers or that someone passed out and vomited all over the hallway (I’ve actually lost count at the number of times).
There is not a day that goes by without some sort of incident. How some random holes in the wall appear, I never will know.
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Walking the steps of my dorm one night, I heard some sort of commotion on my floor. Thinking it could be anything, I noticed people were gathered under a bat above the ceiling mesh.
Seeing as the excitement was just next to my room, I couldn’t pass this up. Numerous guys were attempting to kill the harmless bat with T-shirts and a can of WD-40.
Intelligence and common sense does not run rampant across my floor, obviously.
To the guys on my floor — if you’re here to party and show the moronic side of our prestigious university, you’re doing a heckuva job.
I’d love to pay my part in damages because you decided to destroy a table from the lounge or bust a hole through a wall.
Thinking I would learn after this year’s excitement, I chose to live on campus with a good friend next year.
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My fingers are crossed that we are not stuck on another floor from hell.
