Living in the dorms at Cal State Bakersfield is one of the most important and underrated parts of the college experience. Even if it doesn’t always get talked about this way, dorm life is where a lot of personal growth happens in ways it just cannot in the classroom.  

 I would say living in a dorm has taught me how to be independent and grow as a person while learning how to do things on my own. It is not always easy, and it is not perfect. For a lot of students, living in the dorms is the first time being away from home. 

 First, it feels exciting because you have your own space, your own freedom and a chance to make your own decisions. But after a while, you start to miss your friends and family. Like I have had a lot of deaths in the family, I did not get the opportunity to say goodbye because I was at school, so yes, it is exciting living in a dorm, but it also has its challenges. 

Excitement can also turn into reality when you realize that you have a lot of responsibility that comes with your independence. There is no one there to remind you to wake up, go to class, or stay on top of your assignments. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest lessons that dorm life teaches us. 

It forces us to grow up and become independent, whether you’re ready or not. At the same time, dorm life is not exactly what everyone thinks it is. Some people think it is always fun, social, and full of nonstop activity, like something you would see in a movie. ​​Others think that it is going to be stressful or uncomfortable. But the truth is, it is both.  

There are moments that are fun and memorable, like meeting new people, staying up late talking or just hanging out with friends. But there are also moments that are frustrating, like dealing with noise, sharing space, or trying to focus when there are distractions everywhere. In my opinion, these challenges are what makes the experience real and meaningful.  

One of the hardest parts of living in dorms is learning how to live with other people. Everyone has different habits, routines, and personalities. You might be someone who likes things clean and quiet, while your roommate is more relaxed or loud. But honestly, this is where you can learn some of the most important life skills. You learn how to communicate, how to compromise, and how to respect other people’s space. These are things you will carry with you long after college, and you don’t really learn the same way if you are still living at home. Even with challenges, one of the best things about dorm life is the sense of community.  

The reason for this is because you’re surrounded by people who are all going through the same experience as you. Experiences like being away from home, adjusting to college, and trying to figure things out are shared making it easier to connect with others and build friendships.  

I lost a lot of friends because I could not do anything for them anymore. They stopped talking to me and blamed me for not being able to help them do things or give them rides anywhere. I have more college friends than I do at home because I don’t do things for them when they want me to; they want me to do it on time. 

Of course, if you live in a dorm, you have rules that you have to follow and not everyone loves that part. At CSUB, there are guidelines for quiet hours, guests and what you can allow in your room. Things like candles, hot plates, overnight guests, and not being able to have alcohol in your room if there is a minor.  

At times, these rules can feel strict or limited. But in my opinion, they all make sense. But when you live in a shared space with so many people, there must be a structure to keep everyone safe and comfortable in order tosafely harbor that growth. Overall, living in the dorms feels good because you have your own space and no rules from your parents and you can be yourself, especially when you are away from home. Even though the dorms have rules, you still have more freedom because you don’t have curfews or things of that manner.  

Even though dorm life can be challenging, it is a valuable part of college that helps shape who you become.