Dorm schooled

by Monica Mei V. Cariño

THE SECOND bell starts ringing and the hallways are unusually empty. While students are diligently taking out their pens and notebooks, a thundering of footsteps is heard. As the ringing ends, a group of dormers enters the room and takes their seats.

This is a college stereotype: a group of dormers arriving late for classes straight from their homes away from home: from Cervini, Eliazo, and the new University Dormitory. Getting people from different nationalities, backgrounds, and perceptions to live under one of these roofs sounds like a premise for an explosive Pinoy Big Brother season—but that’s a different story.

First impressions
Elvin Salindo (IV BS MIS) describes himself as a reserved introvert. On his first day in Cervini 204, while reading a book, he met his roommate Marvin Valdoria (IV BS MIS) the embodiment of an extrovert.

“He was dancing energetically while he introduced himself. He kept asking me questions so I was thinking ‘What’s this, an interview?’” Elvin said jokingly in Filipino.

Their other roommate, Cyrus Igban (IV BS Psy), who comes from Iligan City describes himself as the “dakilang aktibista (noble activist)” as he would join strikes back in high school. Completing the residents of Room 204 is Vincent Bermudez (III BS ECE) of Dumaguete. A student leader, he describes himself as “a loner who didn’t care what other people thought.”

In Eliazo, the dormitory for girls, Kylee Lagman (IV BS CTM) and Karen Naranjo (IV BS Mgt), didn’t necessarily see each other eye-to-eye when they first moved in. “I think I remember thinking ‘Ang arte naman ni Kylee‘ (Kylee is so vain),” says Karen. On the other hand, Kylee thought that Karen was too shy for them to become close friends.

Lessons learned
Aside from first impressions, they also had to adjust to the inevitable fact that they have to be independent.

For the dormers in Room 204, they had to adjust to the practical matters of living in the dorm. They were all used to having a room all by themselves. For Vincent, his old roommate would usually play loud music to study. Other roommates would work until the wee hours of the morning, much to the chagrin of the others who wanted to turn the lights off.

Food matters were also adjusted to. “Living in the dormitories is like holding a double-edged sword. On one hand, you wouldn’t go hungry, but you’re also expected to share. Here, you can’t really keep everything to yourself,” Marvin said in a mix of Filipino and English. In buying groceries, they learned to buy more to share with everyone.

In Eliazo, the matters they faced were mostly the psychological effects of being away from their family, dealing with academics, and adjusting to a new environment. They coped by being each other’s support group. “There was one time we would connect the four beds and ten of us would sleep in one room,” Karen said.

Game of life
Living in the dormitories is a completely different education. “Ateneo teaches you how to deal with stress, the work force, and being professional, as well as values. But the dorm teaches you about life,” Karen said.

Vincent agrees, as living in Cervini has taught them to be “emotionally equipped, mature, and independent.”

Aside from personal growth, relationships are also different. The bonds they form with fellow dormers are different and deeper, as nationality, language, and age aren’t a factor.

A 24/7 slumber party may seem like a fun ride in college. But the experiences and relationships formed in the dorms educates one beyond academics and personal matters. Many dormers may be late in their classes, but they’re not exactly late in understanding how life is.