Social Dimmitt Lounge

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As I sit in a boxy chair, probably from the 90s, groups of college students surround me preparing for classes in shabby, wooden couches. Some are there for studying and others are there just for the social element. Dimmitt is the most social residence hall building on campus. It is not much of a surprise than that in the study lounge; the atmosphere does not change much. As a junior, I realize why I never accomplished any studying while living here. Two years ago, I lived here during my freshman year. Every time I attempted to study, it usually resulted in failure.
People are everywhere. The sounds of students walking and talking echo down the hallways. Doors are constantly slamming and “rap/hip hop” music screams from multiple computers. People walking past continually distract me. Every time a different person passes, I find myself gazing up from my computer to see who it is.
Blake Schany, an RA in Dimmitt says, “It is very distracting and I cannot concentrate or even clear my head for things that are important, but it is nice to have plenty of potential social interactions.” Complete silence is a rarity. In fact, while writing this, there have been a couple of major interruptions lasting a total of forty-five minutes. One “Chatty Cathy” has approached me and talked my ear off. She sits down and does not seem to care that I am attempting to study. I give her what seem obvious hints that I am trying to focus. I stare at my computer, keep writing, and even respond with one-word answers. The piano has also started to play to add to another distraction. First off, it is not tuned and secondly, it is not a relaxing classical tune, but rather chopsticks. This version of chopsticks sounds like children banging on the keys without a care.
I remember my freshman year; I was one of those noisy, obnoxious students in Dimmitt. My days were spent sprinting past the lounge, yelling down the hallways, playing my music too loud, and of course getting in trouble for noise during quiet hours. Upperclassmen would give me death glares because of these obnoxious habits.
This building is home to approximately 400 students, many of which are freshmen. Built in 1927, Dimmitt Residence Hall is named after Lilian E. Dimmitt. She was the Dean of Women for Morningside College for twenty-six years.
There have been many improvements to the Dimmitt study lounge in the past two years. There are now colorful paintings placed evenly on the walls of the crescent shaped room. Televisions in the lounge have been improved from the 70’s style resting on the floor to now flat screens mounted. As I look ahead of me, I can see the painting of Lillian E. Dimmitt staring at me. Just like the Mona Lisa, whatever direction I move, her eyes follow.
Being one of the oldest buildings on campus, Dimmit does not have the capabilities for air conditioning. In the fall and spring it is warm because of the temperature outside. In the winter it is also warm because of the heater. The heat is very difficult to escape. The uncomfortable warmth is yet another distraction that prevents studying.
Despite all of the distractions in Dimmitt, it is still and will be the most popular place to live for freshmen. It is a great building to develop friendships and lasting relationships.

First Draft:

Built in 1927, Dimmitt residence hall is named after Lillian E. Dimmitt. She was the dean of women for Morningside College for 26 years. This building houses approximately 400 students, mainly freshmen.
Dimmitt is the most social residence hall on campus. As a junior, I realized why I never accomplished any studying while living here. I lived here two years ago during my freshman year and every time I tried to study I never succeeded. The sounds of people walking and talking echo in the hallways. Doors are constantly being slammed and “rap/hip hop” music is screaming from people’s computer. I am continually distracted from the people walking past. Every time a different person passes, I find myself gazing up from my computer to see who it is. There is never a place to go to have absolute complete silence. In fact, while writing this, there have been two major interruptions lasting a total of forty-five minutes. One Chatty Cathy has approached me and talked my ear off and the other interruption was when the piano started to play. Of course I had to forget my headphones.
This is me being a hypocrite. I remember my freshman year, I was one of those noisy obnoxious freshmen in Dimmitt. I spent my days sprinting past the lounge, yelling down the hallways, playing my music too loud, and of course getting in trouble for noise during quiet hours. I would get death glares from the upperclassmen studying because of these obnoxious habits.
There have been many improvements to the Dimmitt study lounge in the past two years. There are now colorful paintings placed evenly on the walls of the crescent shaped room. Televisions in the lounge have been improved from 70’s style sitting on the floor to now flat screens with stands. As I look up I can see the painting of Lillian E. Dimmitt staring at me. Just like the Mona Lisa, whatever direction I move, her eyes follow.
Being one of the oldest buildings on campus, Dimmitt does not have the capabilities to have air conditioning. In order to keep the temperature down, all the windows possible are kept open to create airflow. In the lounge, you can hear the sounds of cars driving past, wind blowing into the building, and yells from the “crazies” roaming around outside.
Blake Shany, an RA in Dimmitt says, “It is very distracting and I cannot concentrate or even clear my head for things that are important, but it is nice to have plenty of potential social interactions.”

no picture for now–there will be one on the final draft

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