Dorm Life

By Tori Whitcher | Jan 22, 2010 in Tori's Blog for Players

I am currently a junior playing DI hockey at the University of Richmond. I hope to update this blog regularly - so check back. I'll try to give you an inside look into what it's like to play and study at the collegiate level - and help you best decide on what college and team is right for you. Stay tuned - and please comment so I know what you are thinking!

Heeelllooo ladies!

Living in a college dormitory is unlike any other living experience you have ever had (even if you are a boarding school gal). I went from having my own room (even the whole upstairs and bathroom to myself after my sister left for college my junior year in high school) to sharing a small dorm room with another girl, and sharing a bathroom with about 15 other girls.

Being an athlete, I had the option of living with whoever I wanted, so I chose to live with a soccer girl (who I did not know). I wanted to live with another athlete who has season in the fall, however I did not want to live with another hockey girl because I could not spend that much time with the same person. I HIGHLY recommend rooming with another fall athlete. A fall athlete, because you’ll have the same early morning training and study schedules. Having a roommate who’s schedule conflicts with yours – and you may never get any sleep.

Living in a dorm means your mama is not there to tell you when to go to bed, turn down your radio, turn off the TV, do your home work, stop hanging out with friends and tell you that boys cannot go in your room. This was a crazy transition for me because my mom was VERY strict with me.

Every hall has a few RAs (residential assistants), who are students receiving free board to make sure nothing too crazy happens, however there are no specific rules, curfews, etc.

It is also pretty crazy living in a co-ed dorm. My freshman and sophomore year I lived in an all girls dorm, but this year I chose to live in a co-ed dorm (because it’s more fun, of course). I actually live right down the hall from my boyfriend and all of his friends. No matter what time of day it is, I can always find a close friend in his or her room. On the down side, I have had friends who completely did not get along with their roommates, however this is pretty rare. You just have to communicate with her and respect her stuff/time.