Unless you specifically request and pay extra for your own room, you are going to have at least one other roommate. Although some people end up becoming great friends, there is a chance you could end up with someone you don't like or get along with when your school randomly picks your roommate for you. Conflict with a college roommate can be frustrating and inconvenient. It is a good idea to discuss ground rules for living together early on and to be patient and open to compromising.
Dormitories are extremely small and most of the space you do have will be shared. You will have to share a bedroom and bathroom and eat in communal spaces. Having guests over or finding a quiet place to be alone can be a challenge. In addition to your roommates, there will be plenty of other people living on your floor. The halls can be noisy and make life difficult if you want to go to sleep early and the person next door wants to play music all night long.
Dormitories attempt to make your life simple by including meal plans in your room and board costs. Meal plans allow you a certain amount of food per day or week at your dormitory. Eating the same foods each week can be boring and dormitories usually do not offer many healthy food choices. If you choose to eat elsewhere, you are going to be paying extra for that. Also, if you do not eat a lot normally, you may end up paying for food you are not even eating.
While some people enjoy co-ed dorm life, others who are more modest or have certain religious beliefs may find it uncomfortable. If you live in a co-ed dorm, members of the opposite sex may see you in a towel after a shower or you may see them this way. For females living with males, they may feel more unsafe or vulnerable to sexual harassment living with men. Shy or self conscious males may also find it intimidating to reside on the same floor as females.