Dorm Livin'

Let's talk about dorms. Living in a dorm is part of the the quintessential freshman year experience. It's an exciting thought-- you're finally living away from your parents, on your own, in a ginormous building filled with tons of people your age. And yeah, it is pretty great. First off, I have to tell you that I have yet to meet someone who wasn't okay, if not completely satisfied, with their freshman year dorm by the end of the year. It will definitely take some adjustment to living with dozens of other people your age, when you're coming from living with your family in a house or an apartment. You may have an all-girl floor, or you might end up on a co-ed floor. You might have communal bathrooms, or you may get lucky with private bathrooms. There might be a food court downstairs, or there might be a C-Store. But no matter where you end up, you will find your niche on your floor and in your dorm, and you will eventually feel right at home. And I also must tell you that no matter which part of campus you end up living in, whether it be the territory you chose first, second, or not at all, you will find that there are unique positives to every dorm hall.

Take Northwest for example. This is where I stayed my freshman year-- and woah, did I love it. Not only did we have Gresham Food Court, but we had the McNutt C-Store, home to the best subs you will find in any college food court. Some say that these dorms are considered the "party" dorms. I'll tell you that yes, living in McNutt was really, really fun. Sometimes a little bit distracting, even. But I will also tell you that it's all about what you make of it. You can be the girl who goes to any and every floor several nights of the week looking for a party. You will find one, but you will also screw up your grades, which is not something you want to do-- especially at the start of your freshman year when you are just getting accustomed to everything. Or, you can be the girl who studies at the library when dorm life is getting too distracting, and therefore is able to leave her door open to be social when you're in your room. You need to be careful that you have your priorities straight when you're living in Northwest--school, then social-- but if you do, you will definitely be pleased with living here.

These are pics from my dorm room freshman year in McNutt. I must say my roommate
Taylor and I were very proud of it.. but it didn't look this neat and tidy for long ;)

 

 

Then we have Central. These dorms are pretty much smack dab in the center of campus. Not only does it have the most awesome food court ever- Wright Food Court- but living in Central, you are pretty close to where you will have the majority of your classes, and super close to the library (which is where studying is a must freshman year-- I'll tell you why later). You pretty much have it all living here: great location and even greater food. And to add to that, you are the closest to the SRSC, which is where you will need to drag yourself on a daily basis if you don't want to gain that Freshman 15 (something else I will talk about in an upcoming post.. it's real guys). Central dorms are also known to house the more studious and serious students- but then again, it's all what you make of it.

Lastly, we have Southeast. Southeast dorms tend to house a lot of music students and International students. This area of campus is also known for being right near all of the best restaurants and food courts. Read had El Bistro, where you can have homemade omelets and waffles- woah. Forest is just down the block from Red Chopsticks-- if you're into sushi-- and also from Bloomington's most famous pizza: Mother Bear's. Southeast dorms are also right near all of the Third Street classroom buildings, so you can literally roll out of bed and get to Third Street classes within minutes.

Like I said, every dorm hall will have its positives and negatives, and although there are definitely stereotypes to each dorm, as you will notice quickly, dorm life is what you make of it. You can be the party girl, the studious girl, the artsy girl, or all three, in any dorm on campus. I promise you will find your place quicker than you think and sooner or later, the dorm you're living in will be your home away from home.

xx, Maddy

Brand-New at IU

Are you a freshman, transfer student, or just a girl who's going to be new to IU come Fall? Will you be living minutes, hours, or hundreds of miles away from home and are you overly excited but a little nervous to start your life on the beautiful campus of Indiana University? Do you want a little advice on how to find your own, personal place here at such a huge school? If you answered yes to any of those questions, well, then this blog is for you. My name is Maddy, and I'm here to give you the 411 on everything a gal who's Brand-New at IU might need to know. From the cutest places to shop around campus, to romantic little locations to go on a date, to deciding on rushing a sorority, to the best spots to grab a bite to eat (or if you're me, to inhale ice cream like it's my job), I'll give you the inside scoop on how to survive your first year in style (or if you're me, like a complete clutz). So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride, because the next year, let alone the next four years, are going to go by way. too. fast.

xx, Maddy

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