Dorm Digest: First-Years and the Quad
Hey guys! My name is Ari, and I’m here to tell you all a little bit about residential life as a Barnard first-year!
Barnard Quad Courtyard
I live in “the Quad”, along with all the other first-years who choose to live on campus (which is 98% of us, to be exact). The Quad is the most concentrated residential area on campus, and consists of four buildings that surround a beautiful courtyard. The buildings are connected on the inside, so you’ll never have to step foot in the cold New York weather to get to a friend’s room for movie night! That also means any bathroom, laundry room, and lounge in the Quad is accessible to you.
My building is called Sulzberger -- it’s the only building in the Quad with air conditioning (which you only need for ~1 month of school, anyway). Our windows face East, so we have a nice view of Broadway and the most beautiful sunlight streaming in every morning. You won’t get to choose which building you live in, but each one has its own perks and there are no bad options!
Making your space comfortable is important. College life can be hectic at times, and you’ll want to create a safe space to come home to after long, tiring days. I put up fairy lights and pictures of family, friends, and my dog on the wall to cozy things up.
Barnard provides all students with two sets of dressers, a closet, and a desk with several drawers and shelves. I also recommend bringing rugs and small pieces of furniture that double as storage, to make it feel extra home-y!
A tip: I do my best to do as much homework as possible in the library so that my dorm can instead be a place to unwind. On the other hand, some people feel most productive working in their own room. Take time to figure out what works best for you.
Everyone has at least one roommate during freshman year. Unless you choose the person yourself, you’ll be randomly assigned one to three roommates based on a survey you’ll complete over the summer. Residential Life does their very best to match you with someone compatible. My roommate and I had never met before orientation, but she became one of my closest friends! Check out the fun door decor we put up in honor of baseball’s World Series.
Remember that it takes time to settle into a new living environment. If you and your roommate aren’t best friends, that’s totally okay. If it’s difficult for you to get comfortable living with someone else, that’s okay, too. Be patient with yourself. There are so many ways to meet people in college, and your hallmates might not be your people.
However, living in the Quad has been one of the highlights of my freshman year. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors and introduce yourself to anyone and everyone during that first week of school. Once my hallmates and I got to know each other, we were able to create the most warm, friendly, and supportive community that I will remember for the rest of my time at Barnard!
-Ari Shenkman