Hey fam, I've seen some college dorms have communal bathrooms and it sounds, uh, not so great. Can anyone share their experiences with this? Maybe it's not as bad as it seems? Any tips or advice would be awesome!
From a seasoned college student perspective, having a communal bathroom might not be as bad as you're envisioning! It's pretty standard in many traditional dorms at colleges and universities and over time, it simply becomes another part of the daily routine. And on the plus side, you won't have to worry about cleaning it—that's usually handled by the janitorial staff.
The experience with communal bathrooms greatly depends on the culture of the dorm and the habits of the residents. Communal bathrooms can actually be beneficial for getting to know your floormates and forging a sense of camaraderie. Typically, there are codes of conduct or guides for etiquette, such as cleaning up after yourself, and schedules that help to manage traffic during peak times.
It's essential to have a shower caddy to carry your toiletries and flip flops to keep your feet clean. Both are invaluable. It's also worth mentioning that you should make sure you have appropriate bathrobes or towels for walking back and forth from the bathroom.
Yes, communal bathrooms may feel a bit awkward initially, especially if you've never shared a bathroom with so many people before. However, college is all about new experiences, and you might find that it's not as inconvenient or awkward as you think! It's definitely manageable and, like most things in college, can add to the overall experience.
In the end, each of us has different comfort levels and unique habits around bathroom use. Communal bathrooms might be a small deal or not a deal at all for some whereas, for others, it might be a big deal. Rest assured, though, that you are not alone in feeling uncertain about this. Many students adapt quickly and find communal bathrooms to be just another part of the college experience.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.