The Pros and Cons of a New Dorm
Cornell’s North Campus has significantly changed this year, and living in these brand new dorms definitely has its perks. In Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall, each dorm room is controlled by its own thermostat, students don’t have to leave their pod to take a shower, and having too many items plugged into one outlet is never an issue. If I want something to eat, there is a full service cafe and coffee shop just a few steps away. There are many lounges for people to study in, along with a beautiful kitchen on every floor. However, sometimes, it feels more like living in a hotel than a college dorm. While I love many things about Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall, I also feel its amenities prevent it from being as social as some of the older dorms.
In many of the other buildings, each floor has one large lounge that students congregate in to study, write papers, and chat after a long, tiresome day. In the new dorms, the lounges are hidden in corners and very small, allowing only a few students to fit into them at a time. This makes it harder to get to know your floor since most people only spend time in the lounge closest to their room. There is no central area for students to gather and meet new people.
Although these lounges are a great place for people to meet one another, another easy way other dorms seem to socialize is through the closeness of their rooms. However, the doors of the new dorms seem to prevent them from being more social through their suite-like structure. While students are able to keep their doors open in the older buildings, the doors in RBG are extremely heavy, impeding their ability to stay open. This feature makes it difficult for residents to meet people, talk with friends, or even find familiar faces in their building. There are definitely moments where I do appreciate the peace and quiet of RBG, but there are also times where I wish there was more to do.
The rooms in RBG are nice and often seem to be too comfortable, causing people to never want to leave. In the older dorms, people often seek out the common areas for air conditioning, light, or even just a change of scenery. With the ability to control your own temperature and lighting in RBG, many students do not feel the need to go anywhere else. This leaves most of the halls empty, and you’re not likely to find many people while you’re walking through. I remember searching the halls during the first few days of orientation, hoping to find someone to talk to, and finding them quiet most of the time.
Even though I wish my dorm was more social, all of the amenities it offers have made adjusting to college life a bit easier. I only need to walk five steps to get to my practically private bathroom, and never have to wait in line for a shower. If I want to have a night in or if I have a prelim the next day, I know I have a place to study without any distractions. I think all the dorms offer their own benefits and drawbacks, and as they always say, the grass is greener on the other side.
