Moving into a residence hall can feel intimidating, especially when it means sharing a small room with complete strangers. One Rowan student reflects on how freshman dorm life transformed initial fears into lasting friendships, unforgettable memories and a college experience she wouldn’t trade for anything.
As a senior in high school who had always had my own room, it was hard for me to picture myself sharing a room equivalent to the size of a shoe box with not one, but two, other girls whom I did not know. In fact, the thought was horrifying.
Facing the Reality of Dorm Life
In the effort to make the next two semesters of my life as tolerable as possible, I searched for my possible roommates and came across two seemingly normal girls—or as normal as I could suspect one to be after conducting some serious Facebook stalking—and decided to room with them.
I wish someone could have taken a picture of my face on move in day when I walked into my cluttered, seemingly two-by-four room in Chestnut Hall with all my bags and boxes (half of which got sent back home with my mom upon my realization that I had nowhere to keep it all).
As my freshman year progressed, I slowly became accustomed to having no alone time or personal space, sharing a bathroom with 6 other girls, and having to hike my way up to my top bunk every night.
From Roommates to Friends
With winter break approaching, I can remember the bittersweet feeling; finally getting to go home and get some time to myself—but is that really what I wanted? After being home, in my own big room, I quickly realized I missed my little dorm. I missed my twin bed, the constant distractions from my roommates and all my friends being walking distance away. Freshman housing was truly a blessing in disguise.
I could have never imagined the inseparable bond that would be formed between the girls I shared my freshman dorm with. I cannot imagine anyone forming such a bond in any way other than squeezing all your personal items, including yourself, in such a small area and being forced to live with it. I made my forever friends. I made memories I will never forget. Living in that little room, I learned things about my friends that created a bond like no other.
Looking Back on Freshman Year
Now, as a sophomore living in my off campus house, I miss getting ready in our little room all together, not knowing what the night held for us. I miss laying in all our little twin sized beds at night with the “sleepy-ha-ha’s” talking about the most random things imaginable. I most of all miss my little dorm room, 153 Chestnut Hall.
So, for incoming freshman who may be dreading their first year of college, let me assure you: freshman dorm living is not the most ideal situation, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you cannot get anywhere else.
By: Hailee B.
Public relations major, advertising minor
About Rowan
Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a public research institution ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates in person and online to nearly 25,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro and its eight other locations in southern New Jersey. Rowan focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. The University has earned national recognition for innovation; commitment to high-quality, affordable education; and the development of public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast and among the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, Rowan opened New Jersey’s only veterinary school and is one of only two universities in the nation to offer M.D., D.O., and D.V.M. medical degrees.