Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in a Student Dormitory

A student dormitory is like a unique student city where its own rules and laws reign. Every autumn, a large number of prospective students move into dormitories, especially those who are enrolling in universities in different cities. Naturally, not everyone can afford to rent expensive housing, so there arises a need to live in a dormitory.

I moved into a dormitory at the beginning of October when I had finally severed my ties with my employer. My move-in happened when most first-year students were already assigned to rooms, and consequently, I had no choice in the matter.

The dormitory manager placed me in a room where two other guys already lived. One of them, as it turned out, was from my hometown, Luhansk, and the other was from the Poltava region. It quickly became apparent that my roommates and I had different outlooks on life and even different worldviews, so it was not surprising that we didn’t become friends. The room assignments are random, making it difficult to predict who your roommates will be.

“It’s important to understand that a dormitory, like a shared apartment, means you’ll inevitably encounter your roommates and other dorm residents. These encounters aren’t always pleasant or friendly,” says fourth-year student Semen.

“I met many of my friends in the dormitory, many of whom are from my native Crimea. It’s a great feeling to know that you can ask someone for class notes or spend time with them,” says second-year student Karina.

So, as we can see, living in a dormitory has certain advantages and disadvantages. Among the main advantages, I can highlight significant cost savings compared to renting expensive accommodation in the capital. Dormitory fees are typically fixed, ranging from 520-800 UAH per place, plus utilities. In contrast, renting a room in the capital can vary between 3,000-5,000 UAH per place, plus utilities. The savings are substantial. Additionally, dormitories have a genuine student atmosphere, and you can find friends and like-minded people.

However, living in a student dormitory also has its share of disadvantages.

Among the most common ones are the distance of the dormitory from the educational institution and frequent communication disruptions, resulting in problems with hot water and heating during the winter, which can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. These problems are usually resolved slowly, creating issues for residents. The furniture is typically in a neglected state, making it less comfortable for students.

As we can see, living in a dormitory comes with specific advantages and corresponding disadvantages, but the ultimate choice of accommodation is up to each student.