The Contrasts between Living in the Dormitory and Living at Home

張貼日期：Mar 29, 2018 3:1:36 PM

Cara Yee

I have been living in the college dormitory for three years since I started my university life in Taipei. I share a room with six roommates who are all from different places. And it is totally different from living at home with family. From my own perspective, living in the dormitory and living at home vary in the following three aspects: freedom, doing house chores, and privacy.

First of all, I have more freedom when living in the dormitory than living at home. When I am at home, my parents always nag me for not listening to their advice. They also keep on asking me where I am going and who I am going to hang out with. Additionally, I have to reach home before twelve in the midnight or else my parents will get mad at me for being late for coming home. Nevertheless, nobody bothers me when I live in the dormitory. My roommates may ask if I am coming home at night but they will not nag me. Thus, I feel much more relaxed when living in the dormitory.

Second, I must do house chores all by myself in the dormitory. When I am at home, I always do house chores with my mother. Sometimes my brother helps us do some easy chores like washing dishes and sweeping the floor. And I do not have to worry about my meals as my mother and grandmother will prepare every meal for us. Nevertheless, living in the dormitory, I must do house chores myself since everyone is busy with their own stuff and have no time to help others. I have to eat outside for every meal because we cannot cook in the dormitory except eating cup noodles.

On the other hand, I have no privacy in the dormitory room. I have to share the small and squeezing space with six roommates. If I have to talk on the phone, I have to step out from my room so I can talk privately and will not bother my roommates. And since everyone has some particular habits, it really annoys me a lot sometimes. For example, some of my roommates like to talk and laugh loudly when I am going to bed. Fortunately, I can still fall asleep after a few minutes.

Both living in a dormitory and living at home have advantages and disadvantages. We will become more independent when living in the dormitory as we have to do everything by ourselves. On the other hand, we will appreciate the time more when living at home as our family members always care for us and stay by our sides.