Mitchell Williams, sophomore living in Briscoe
IDS What made you choose to live in the dorms after freshman year?
Williams My dad stayed in the dorm for three years when he was in college, and he was able to talk me into staying another year.
IDS What are the benefits to living in the dorm versus off campus?
Williams One nice thing about living in the dorm again is that I have a meal plan so I don’t have to cook meals all the time. Another benefit is being closer to classes and both gyms to play basketball and work out. Also, I don’t have to rely on the buses to get me on campus and to class on time.
IDS What are the negatives to living in the dorms?
Williams A bad thing about living in the dorm is that you don’t really have your own space and it can be a little crowded at times. Also, it’s not as fun to have friends over because you have to be courteous to others with respect to playing music.
IDS Would you say it was a good choice?
Williams I think it was a good choice for this year because it’s more convenient with my 8 a.m. (classes), but I’ll be ready to move off campus next year.
IDS Do you enjoy living with primarily freshmen?
Williams I’m able to answer any questions they have about IU, especially at the beginning of the year when they don’t know where classes are. Also, I’m able to help with some common freshman classes such as finite and English 131. I had some of my books from last year that I let people use so they wouldn’t have to buy them. I really like to help people out so it’s a good experience.
Rebecca Dvorak, ?sophomore living in Foster
IDS What made you choose to live in the dorms after freshman year?
Dvorak The opportunity to be a resident assistant motivated me to live in the residence halls after freshman year. I was excited for the opportunity to help first-year students in their transition to college.
IDS What is your favorite part about living in the dorm?
Dvorak I love the sense of community, the activities, the convenience of having food close, the academic resources available, the short walk to classes, the fact that I don’t have to buy furniture, no extra expenses and the opportunity for forming lifelong friendships with roommates and floormates.
IDS Is there a downside?
Dvorak It is more expensive than a lot of other housing options. It is a pretty small living space. The communal bathrooms that some residence halls still have are an inconvenience, and the food is not the best quality, unless you live in Forest.
IDS Overall, was it a good choice?
Dvorak Yes. I would live in the residence halls my first year, even if it wasn’t required. In fact, because I live in Bloomington, I had the option to live at home my freshman year and instead chose to live in the residence halls because everyone I know who chose not to really ended up feeling like they missed out.
IDS What is it like to live with freshmen?
Dvorak As an R.A., I have the opportunity to foster community with a group of people going through similar transitions and experiencing similar struggles and triumphs. It’s interesting to watch them grow as the year goes on. It also helps keep me enthusiastic about being at IU because, to them, everything is new and exciting.
Stephen Anderson, ?junior living in Briscoe
IDS What was your reason for staying in the dorms?
Anderson I chose to live in the dorms after my freshman year because of convenience. Last school year I was an intern for IU Athletics, so it paid off to live in Briscoe, which is right across the street from the athletic offices. This year I chose to stay in Briscoe because all of my classes are in Kelley, so it’s only a five-minute walk to class.
IDS Do you like living in a dorm?
Anderson There are benefits. I’m closer to campus and my classes, I don’t have to worry about fixing my own food and I do not have to share a room/house with anyone else.
IDS Is there a downside?
Anderson The negatives of living in the dorms is that it gets loud and it is more expensive to live in the dorms compared to if I rented an apartment.
IDS Was it a good choice?
Anderson Yes, I like my choice of living in Briscoe this year. However, I will be living off campus next year.
IDS Is it fun to live with freshmen?
Anderson They are a little rowdy because college is new to them, but living with freshmen also gives me a chance to meet a lot of new people.
