Living at Hopkins

If you're reading this after checking your housing assignment, you might be feeling one of two things: excited because you got the dorm you wanted, or disappointed because you didn't.

If you're in the second group, I understand exactly how you feel.

When I opened my housing assignment and saw AMR I, I was upset. I had heard all the jokes, all the comparisons and all the reasons why other dorms were supposedly “better.” Before I had even stepped inside the building, I had already convinced myself that I was going to have a worse freshman experience.

Looking back now, I couldn't have been more wrong.

Some of my favorite memories from freshman year happened in AMR I. I met incredible friends, became part of a close-knit community and had amazing Resident Advisors (RAs) who organized events so fun that students from other dorms came to join us. Was the building perfect? Of course not. There were inconveniences, just like there are in every residence hall. But when I think back on freshman year, I don't remember the inconveniences — I remember the people.

At one point I remember telling myself, your dorm is just a building. It's you and the people around you who make it feel like home.

So if you didn't get your first choice, don't let that define your expectations before you even move in. Stay open to new experiences. You might be surprised by how quickly a place you never wanted becomes the place you'll always remember.

Making your room feel like home

Whether you have a roommate or a single, your room is more than just a place to sleep.

Keep it clean. Even if you're living alone, having an organized space genuinely makes you feel better. College can get stressful, and coming back to a clean room can make a bigger difference than you think.

Bring something that reminds you of home. For me, it was a plant. Plenty of people told me it would die before the semester ended, but it's still growing. Whether it's photos, a favorite blanket, decorations, or something meaningful from home, make your space feel personal.

Here's one piece of practical advice you'll thank me for later: Don't wait until the weekend to do laundry.

The laundry rooms are usually packed on Saturdays and Sundays. I used to do mine on Thursday mornings around 9 a.m., and it was much easier to find an open machine.

Most importantly, set a timer.

Seriously.

People are waiting to use the machines, and if your clothes sit there too long, someone will probably take them out. Sometimes they'll leave them on a table, but sometimes they'll end up on top of the machine or even on the floor. Save yourself the frustration and pick them up as soon as they're done.

One of the easiest ways to make Hopkins feel smaller is simply to say hello.

Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Keep your door open while you're moving in. Attend your RA’s events, even if you only stay for a little while. Some of the people who end up becoming your closest friends are the ones living just a few doors away.

Those small conversations make campus feel much less unfamiliar.

Living with a roommate

Unlike many colleges, most first-year students at Hopkins don't choose their roommate. Housing does its best to match people based on the questionnaire you fill out.

Let's be honest, some people aren't completely truthful on that form.

Your roommate may become one of your best friends, or you may simply coexist. Both outcomes are completely normal.

As soon as you receive your roommate assignment, send them an email. Introduce yourself before move-in day. It makes that first meeting much less awkward and helps you start on the right foot.

Once you move in, talk about expectations early. Discuss things like guests, bedtime, noise, cleaning, sharing belongings and study habits. Setting boundaries isn't uncomfortable, it's respectful. Having clear expectations from the beginning prevents misunderstandings later.

You and your roommate don't have to become best friends. What matters most is creating a respectful and comfortable living environment where both of you feel heard.

One lesson I learned during freshman year is simple: When people show you who they are, believe them. Respect goes both ways. Be kind, communicate openly and don't ignore problems, hoping they'll disappear. Honest conversations early on are much easier than fixing months of built-up frustration.

Your freshman year is bigger than your dorm

It's easy to think that your housing assignment will determine your freshman year. I certainly did.

Now, when I look back, I don't remember the number on my building. I remember laughing in the hallway with friends, late-night conversations, RA events, studying together before exams and all the little moments that made Hopkins feel like home.

Your dorm is where your freshman year begins, but it won't define it.

You will.

Be open to meeting new people, give your residence hall a chance, and remember that home isn't created by the building itself. It's created by the community you build inside it.

Alexandra Garcia Herrera is a sophomore majoring in Chemistry from Laurel, Md. She is a Social Media Manager for The News-Letter.