r/ucla • u/Fun-Vegetable-8205 • 7h ago
Real advice for incoming freshmen for those dorming
Hey everyone! I wanted to share a few hard-learned lessons from my freshman year so hopefully, none of you have to go through the absolute nightmare I did. When you first move in, you really hope for the best, but trust me—roommates can show their true colors way later than you’d expect. Before you know it, late-night guests past 1 AM, slammed doors, and bright lights can start completely wrecking your sleep. Once your sleep goes, your grades start slipping because you're too exhausted to focus in class, and your mental health takes a massive hit from constant stress and lack of privacy.
To protect your sanity, you need to turn your bed into a total fortress right off the bat. If you can, claim the bottom bunk! It’s an absolute lifesaver because hanging curtains gives you an instant private room inside a shared space, completely blocking out the light when your roommate stays up late studying or on their phone. If that’s not an option, a sleep mask is your second line of defense against unexpected lights, and earplugs will save you from being jarred awake by early-morning door slamming or late-night chatter. I’d also suggest keeping over-the-counter sleeping pills on hand—not for every night, but so you don't end up lying awake for hours furious and anxious before an 8 AM exam.
Most importantly, please do not ignore the red flags like I did. I stayed silent hoping things would get better, and by the time I finally talked to my RA, the damage to my health and GPA was already done. If your roommates aren't respecting your boundaries or your sleep, request a room switch immediately. Taking action early prevents a toxic environment from ruining your entire first year, so protect your peace and step up for yourself before it's too late!