What’s it really like to live in a college dorm? Madie, a student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln majoring in Classical and Religious Studies, gave us the inside scoop—from unexpected roommate challenges to midnight fire alarms (in bikinis, no less). If you’re heading to college soon, consider this your unofficial dorm survival guide.

Breaking the Ice with Your Roommate

When you first arrive on campus, chances are your roommate is the only person you know. That’s why Madie says it’s crucial to attend welcome events together. At UNL, there are two solid weeks of activities designed to help you meet people and get involved—plus they make for great bonding time.

Don’t overlook the roommate survey, either. It might feel awkward to talk about things like preferred room temperature or guest policies, but it sets expectations early and avoids tension later. “You’re living with someone new, and this gives you a structure for conversations you might not otherwise have,” Madie explained.

Finding a Roommate as a First-Year Student

As an out-of-state student from Dallas, Madie didn’t know anyone coming to Nebraska. She used UNL’s roommate finder tool, completed the questionnaire, and matched with someone she had an 87% compatibility rating with. A quick follow on Instagram sealed the deal.

Her advice? Focus on one or two non-negotiables (like temperature preferences or pets), and don’t stress too much—your roommate doesn’t have to be your best friend, but being respectful goes a long way.

Unexpected Roommate Dynamics

Living with a roommate can get intense. Madie described how easy it is to spend all your time together—especially in those first weeks—and then feel like your identities are merging. To stay balanced, she recommends intentionally creating space for yourself and nurturing friendships outside of your room.

Dorm Life Etiquette: The Unspoken Rules

Here’s Madie’s golden rule for communal kitchens: do not let food mold. A stray apple core or dirty plate may seem harmless, but in close quarters, it turns nasty quickly. Her sophomore year crew solved this by creating a simple chore chart that assigned shared responsibilities and cut down on passive-aggressive tension.

Bathrooms? Just get the shower shoes. Everyone feels weird brushing their teeth in front of strangers at first, but nobody is actually paying that much attention to your Harry Potter robe.

Schedules, Study Rooms, and Sleep

Sharing a space with someone means that clashing schedules are inevitable. Madie and her roommates agreed on “loud hours” between 8 a.m. and midnight—anything goes during that time, from blending smoothies to blasting music. Outside those hours, quiet was the rule. And when things got too hectic, the study rooms provided the perfect retreat.

Fire Drills in Swimsuits and Other Dorm Adventures

Not all dorm memories are stressful—some are hilarious in hindsight. Like the time Madie and her floor mates were getting ready for a bikini-themed party in the dead of winter… and the fire alarm went off. Picture 25 girls in jean shorts and swimwear huddled outside in the cold, forced to take the stairs back up because the elevators were offline.

It’s moments like those, Madie says, that you remember years later—and laugh.

The Role of the RA

When roommate conflict arises, don’t underestimate the value of a good Resident Advisor (RA). Madie recalled having to attend a mediation meeting when tensions with her roommate escalated. RAs aren’t there to pick sides; they’re there to help you work things out—and they also lead fun programming to help residents build community.

Making the Dorm Feel Like Home

For Madie, it took two to three months to truly feel at home in her dorm. Bringing little reminders of home helped—a Whataburger sign from Texas hung proudly on her wall—but it was the community that made the biggest difference.

“Home is where your people are,” she said. “Making memories, staying up too late, and just hanging out—that’s what made my dorm feel like home.”

What to Pack (and What to Leave Behind)

Extension cords are a must-have on Madie’s packing list. There are never enough outlets, and the ones that do exist are often in the most inconvenient spots.

And what not to bring? Too many t-shirts. “You’ll get a free shirt at every welcome event,” she laughed. “I brought way too many and ended up with a closet full of red UNL shirts.”

Alarms, Laundry, and Awkwardness

No one warned Madie about the horror of waking up to someone else’s alarm—or worse, realizing your own six-alarm snooze habit is waking up your roommate. That was a quick lifestyle change.

And laundry? Madie insists it’s worse than communal bathrooms. At UNL, each floor had only a few washers and dryers, and people never moved their clothes. Her tip: set a timer and use mesh laundry bags so your socks don’t disappear forever.

Just Show Up

If Madie could give just one piece of advice, it would be this: go to your floor events. Even if they sound cheesy, they’re how you’ll meet people and start forming your community. It might be awkward at first, but by the end of the year, you’ll be glad you showed up.

“Everyone on my floor became so close,” she said. “We were the ‘floor 12 girls.’ That sense of belonging started at those events.”

Final Thoughts

Dorm life is a mix of awkward, exciting, exhausting, and hilarious—but if Madie’s story is any indication, it’s also one of the most memorable parts of the college experience. Pack smart, be kind, and embrace the weird moments—they make the best stories later.

By Jeannine Phelan